In a FIFA Club World Cup dominated by the impressive form of Brazilian teams, it's no surprise that the Round of 16 kicks off with a classic verde e amarelo derby. At Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, on Saturday, June 28, Abel Ferreira’s Palmeiras will take on Renato Paiva’s Botafogo for a place in the quarter-finals: the winner will face either Benfica or Chelsea. Palmeiras earned their spot in the Round of 16 by finishing top of Group A, tied on points with Inter Miami but ahead on goal difference. They collected five points from two draws — against Porto (0-0) and Inter Miami (2-2) — and a crucial 2-0 win over Al Ahly. At the start of the tournament, Palmeiras’ group was seen as quite balanced — a stark contrast to Botafogo’s. Drawn into Group B with Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, the Brazilians were seen as outsiders. Yet, against all odds, Renato Paiva’s side finished second, knocking out Diego Simeone’s Atletico. The turning point came in the second matchday with a stunning 1-0 win over newly crowned UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain, reshaping the group standings. At this stage of the competition, however, what’s done is done. It’s time for both sides to focus on this all-Brazilian clash. The goal is clear: qualify for the quarter-finals and keep the Brazilian flag flying high in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

Palmeiras Recent Form and Key Stats

On Tuesday, June 24, Palmeiras sealed qualification for the Round of 16 with a dramatic 2-2 draw against Inter Miami. Down by two goals at the 65th minute, the Brazilian side staged a stunning comeback thanks to goals from Paulinho and Mauricio (80’ and 87’).

That draw not only secured progression but extended their unbeaten run to three matches (two draws, one win). In broader terms, the Verdão are enjoying a solid run of form, having lost just two of their last thirteen matches across all competitions.

Botafogo Recent Form and Key Stats

Botafogo’s 1-0 loss to Atletico Madrid on the final matchday ended a five-game winning streak in all competitions. Despite the defeat, the Brazilians held off the Spanish attacks for 87 minutes before Griezmann scored the lone goal.

The strength of Renato Paiva’s Botafogo lies in their defense. They have conceded just 7 goals in 11 matches in Serie A Betano, making them the third-best defense in the league. That solidity has helped them win even low-scoring games — three of their last six victories, including the 1-0 over PSG on June 20, were by a single goal.

Palmeiras vs Botafogo Prediction and Tactical Overview

As a Brazilian derby, these two sides are no strangers to each other. The last time they met, on March 30, the match ended in a goalless draw despite several scoring chances.

At this Club World Cup, Palmeiras have showcased a strong defensive setup, keeping clean sheets against both Porto and Al Ahly. That could make it tough for Botafogo’s attack to break through and challenge Weverton, one of the top-performing goalkeepers in the group stage.

Botafogo, for their part, have proven hard to break down themselves, conceding only one goal in their encounters with both Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain. Notably, six of their last eight matches have ended with under three total goals.

Considering the high stakes and similar defensive profiles, the Palmeiras vs Botafogo prediction from BetMines leans toward a balanced match with few goals. The betting tip is Under 2.5 goals.

• Palmeiras vs Botafogo prediction from the BetMines algorithm predicts a match with Over 2.5 goals at 47%.
  
  
• Palmeiras vs Botafogo prediction prediction from the BetMines Algorithm predicts a match with Under 2.5 goals at 53%.

Probable Lineups: Palmeiras vs Botafogo

PALMEIRAS (4-2-3-1): Weverton; Rocha, Gomez, Fuchs, Piquerez; Rios, Moreno; Estevao, Veiga, Torres; Roque. Coach: Abel Ferreira.

BOTAFOGO (4-3-3): John; Vitinho, Cunha, Barboza, Telles; Gregore, Allan, Freitas; Artur, Jesus, Savarino. Coach: Renato Paiva.