Botafogo are sitting pretty at the Club World Cup and need just a point from their final Group B game with Atletico Madrid to top the section against the odds.
The Brazilian side stunned European champions PSG with a 1-0 victory in the early hours of Friday morning and that made it two wins from two after beating Seattle Sounders in their opener.
Like most people, I fancied PSG to beat Botafogo but thankfully my two other bets came up as Igor Jesus scored the winner in a match where the French side racked up 10 corners.
It was assumed the two European giants would finish in the top two of this section but Botafogo are now in command. Wins for PSG and Atletico in the last round of fixtures would see all three sides finish on nine points, though, meaning the group will be decided on the head-to-heads then goal difference.
Atletico’s 4-0 loss to PSG in their opening game could end up being costly and Diego Simeone’s side now need to win by three goals or more in this one, unless Seattle spring a surprise and take something from Luis Enrique’s men.
The Spanish side were more like themselves when they beat Seattle 3-1 on Thursday night, with a corner bet salvaging something for Slips Tips. Now Diego Simeone’s men need to go on a scoring spree to save their skins.
Head to head: First-time foes
These sides have never faced off before, which shouldn’t come as a surprise as this is the first time either of them have graced a Club World Cup.
Probable line-ups
With Atletico needing goals, Simeone might be tempted to play Antoine Griezmann alongside strikers Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth. Clement Lenglet is available again after serving a ban for his red card against PSG.
Botafogo know a similar performance to the one against PSG should take them through so the Brazilians should be unchanged.
Atletico Madrid: Oblak, Llorente, Lenglet, Le Normand, Galan, De Paul, Gallagher, Barrios, Sorloth, Alvarez, Griezmann.
Botafogo: John, Vitinho, J Cunha, Barboza, Telles, Gregore, Allan, Freitas, Artur, Jesus, Savarino.
