Palmeiras eye Paulista top spot, unbeaten run faces Botafogo-SP | OneFootball

Palmeiras has the chance to take the lead in the Paulista Championship in the next round of the State Championship when they face Botafogo-SP at Arena NicNet, in Ribeirão Preto (SP). Needing the three points to try to secure first place, Verdão bets on their undefeated record against Pantera.

The green and white team has been unbeaten for 11 games against Botafogo-SP. There have been nine wins and two draws since the last defeat in the 2014 Paulista Championship in Ribeirão Preto. During this period, Palmeiras conceded only two goals, having strung together eight consecutive matches without being scored against.

Palmeiras and Botafogo-SP last faced each other in February of last year during the group stage of the State Championship. On that occasion, Palmeiras won 3-1, coming from behind, with goals from Estêvão, Facundo Torres, and Luighi.

What needs to be done to take the lead?

Currently, Palmeiras is in second place in the standings, with 12 points, tied with Novorizontino, who leads the tournament with a goal difference of eight, compared to Verdão's one. The Tigre do Vale, in fact, thrashed Abel Ferreira's team 4-0 in the fourth round in Novo Horizonte.

To take the top of the table, Verdão needs to win and hope for a slip-up from the team from the interior of São Paulo. In this phase of the Paulista, the top eight teams advance. Currently, in the qualifying zone, besides Novorizontino and Palmeiras, are Bragantino, Corinthians, Guarani, Mirassol, Primavera, and São Bernardo.

Palmeiras' situation in the Paulista

In the State Championship, Palmeiras has four wins and one loss. After defeating São Paulo 3-1 in the last round, Verdão seeks to start a new positive streak.

Palmeiras' next match

Match: Botafogo-SP vs. Palmeiras Date and time: February 1, 2026 (Sunday), at 8:30 PM (Brasília time) Competition: Paulista Championship (6th round) Location: Arena NicNet, in Ribeirão Preto (SP)

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.