Atlético-mg X Botafogo: Sunday 16:00 clash at Arena MRV
Atlético-mg x botafogo arrives Sunday at 16:00 at Arena MRV in Belo Horizonte with both clubs level on 17 points. The 15th-round meeting in the Campeonato Brasileiro gives Atlético-MG a chance to build on a 3-1 win over Cruzeiro, while Botafogo tries to steady itself after a league loss to Remo.
Arena MRV at 16:00
Globo and Premiere will carry the match live, giving supporters a straight view of a game that already has table pressure attached to it. Atlético-MG entered the round with 17 points from 14 matches, and Botafogo sat in 10th place with the same total.
That makes Sunday more than a routine league date. Atlético-MG needs to convert the rebound from its derby win into a second straight result, while Botafogo is trying to recover from a comeback defeat in the league after moving ahead first.
Domínguez adjusts Atlético-MG
Eduardo Domínguez has two suspensions to cover, with Lyanco and Alan Franco ruled out. Atlético-MG can bring back Cuello and Cissé after injury recovery, and Preciado is available again after serving a Sudamericana suspension.
The lineup picture still leaves room for movement. Atlético-MG could go with a three-center-back setup featuring Alonso alongside Vitor Hugo and Tressoldi, or use Cuello in a more attacking role. Victor Hugo is still recovering from injury, so Domínguez has fewer fixed pieces than he would like.
Botafogo’s changes
Botafogo also arrives with absences and adjustments. Vitinho is suspended, which opens the door for Mateo Ponte at right back, and Júnior Santos will not play because the club chose not to pay the contractual fine required to use him.
Alexander Barboza is available again after exams tied to a possible move to Palmeiras, while Bastos did not travel with the squad. Botafogo’s probable group includes Neto, Mateo Ponte, Ferraresi, Barboza, Alex Telles, Medina, Edenilson or Newton, Danilo, Matheus Martins, Villalba or Kadir, and Arthur Cabral.
Botafogo’s week already included a 2-0 lead turned into a loss against Remo, then a lift from Wednesday’s win over Racing that secured a place in the Sudamericana knockout stage. Atlético-MG, meanwhile, is carrying both the relief of beating Cruzeiro 3-1 and the strain of managing suspensions into a match that can move either side in a crowded Brasileirão table.
