Botafogo vs Barcelona

Botafogo welcome Barcelona SC to the Estádio Nilton Santos with a place in the Copa Libertadores group stage on the line. The first leg in Guayaquil ended 1-1, and with the away goals rule scrapped, a draw here after 90 minutes sends this tie to penalties. The loser drops into the Copa Sudamericana — the stakes could not be higher. The hosts are in fine form, brushing aside Bangu 3-1 in the Carioca last time out, with Danilo scoring four goals in two games. Barcelona SC arrive off a gritty 1-0 win over Emelec thanks to veteran striker Darío Benedetto, but have won just two of their last five. Botafogo will be without Santiago Rodríguez, Marçal, and Kaio through injury, but the bigger blow falls on the visitors — head coach César Farías is suspended after his red card in the first leg. First-leg goalscorers Matheus Martins and Héctor Villalba will be the ones to watch again. Home advantage, a fired-up Nilton Santos, and superior recent form should be enough for Botafogo to get the job done. Our prediction: 2-0.