São Paulo returns to the Morumbis on Saturday at 17h to face Botafogo in the 17th round of the Campeonato Brasileiro, with the home side trying to stop a seven-match winless run and make the most of being back in its own stadium. The match comes after two home fixtures played away from Morumbis because of The Weeknd concerts.
São Paulo has not won in seven matches and sits fourth with 24 points, a position that still keeps it in the race near the top but has been undercut by its elimination from the Copa do Brasil. Dorival Júnior is expected to keep a base similar to the team that drew 1-1 with Millonarios on Tuesday in the Copa Sul-Americana, with a probable lineup that includes Rafael, Lucas Ramon, Alan Franco, Sabino, Wendell, Danielzinho, Luan or Pablo Maia, Luciano, Artur, Calleri and Ferreira.
The hosts will again have to manage a long list of absences. Cauly, Marcos Antônio, Rafael Tolói, Lucas, Enzo Diaz, Bobadilla, André Silva, Maik and Arboleda are all out, while Wendell, Ferreira and Luciano are one caution away from suspension. That leaves São Paulo with little room to absorb another setback, especially in a league phase where every point matters and the margin between staying in the chase and slipping away can disappear quickly.
Botafogo arrives with a different mood. Franclim Carvalho is expected to make changes to the team that beat Corinthians 3-1 on the previous Sunday and then followed that with a 3-0 win over Independiente Petrolero on Wednesday to advance to the Copa Sul-Americana round of 16. Arthur Cabral scored three goals in the win over Corinthians, and his presence again gives Botafogo a direct route to goal that São Paulo will have to track closely.
There is also a structural change at the back for Botafogo after Barboza moved to Palmeiras, with Ferraresi and Justino expected to form the defense. Alex Telles and Medina are suspended, and the visiting side is also missing Ponte, Allan, Bastos, Júnior Santos, Kaio Pantaleão, Matheus Martins and Nathan Fernandes. The probable lineup includes Neto, Vitinho, Ferraresi, Justino, Marçal or Caio Roque, Huguinho, Edenilson, Montoro, Villalba, Kadir and Arthur Cabral.
Botafogo’s recent results have pushed it into Saturday’s match with momentum in both the Brasileirão and the Copa Sul-Americana, while São Paulo is still trying to reset after a difficult stretch marked by travel, injuries and the lack of a win. Arthur Cabral and Villalba are one caution away from suspension, another detail that could shape how aggressively Botafogo plays if the match stays tight at the Morumbis.
For São Paulo, the return home is a chance to interrupt the slide before pressure deepens further. For Botafogo, it is another test of whether the form that carried it past Corinthians and Independiente Petrolero can travel just as well in league play.
