Without his most important player, São Paulo faces Botafogo this Sunday, November 19. For the thirty-sixth (antepenultimate) round of the Brazilian Championship 2017 edition, the game will be held at the Pacaembu stadium, as Morumbi remains rented for other events. The kickoff is scheduled for 17h (Brasília time)

The recent performance of São Paulo

The three-color fans who had hoped to see the team in the Copa Libertadores qualifying zone received a reality clash on the night of Wednesday, November 15. In Porto Alegre, São Paulo was beaten by Grêmio by 1 to 0, getting parked in the 45 points (12 wins, nine draws and 14 losses).
Thus, with three days to go, he can reach a maximum of 54 points, a number that is considered insufficient for the team to finish in the top seven. Thus, only if the group of classified increase will be possible to return to ambition the vacancy in the continental tournament. For this, the gremistas would have to win the title of Liberators 2017 and Flamengo to bill the current edition of the South American Cup.
In any scenario, from the extension of G7 to G8 or G9, however, 100% utilization is considered mandatory. To achieve this goal, coach Dorival Junior will have to deal with a serious problem. The midfielder Hernanes, considered the best player of the team and main responsible for the reaction that avoided the relegation of Sao Paulo, will not be able to face the alvinegro in Rio. Received the third yellow card against Grêmio and will have to comply suspension.
One of the options for the vacancy is the Peruvian half Cueva. He has been out of the last three matches to serve his team in the replay of the qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup Russia. Guaranteed in the World Cup after the victory in Lima, 2-0, New Zealand, return to the team this Sunday . Lucas Fernandes is another possibility. Thus, Cueva could act more advanced, as it has done normally and rendered better. In that case, Maicosuel would lose his position among the holders.

The current form of Botafogo

After making good campaigns in the Copa do Brasil and Copa Libertadores of America, but without having managed to reach the title, Botafogo is at its worst in the season. On Thursday night, November 16, at home, was defeated by Atlético-GO, lantern of Brasileirão, by 2 to 1.
The stumbling block before the worst tournament team, as might be expected, provoked cheerleading protests and reactions from players. The most intense of them is Bruno Silva, just one of the team’s greatest highlights throughout the year. When leaving the lawn and being booed, he made signs that he was leaving the club. Cruise should be your destination next year.
It was the second consecutive defeat and the third in the last four rounds. Despite the failure, the team is in the sixth position of the Brasileirão. He has 51 points (14 wins, 9 draws and 12 losses). It is still in the qualifying zone for the 2018 edition of Libertadores, but as it happened this year, it would have to go through the qualifying stages. Staying in that position seems to be the only viable goal to be achieved in this final stretch of tournament.
The situation could cause the coach Jair Ventura Filho, who was quite depressed at the end of the game, promote changes in the team. The coach, however, did not anticipate any action in this direction.
The medical department can influence the decisions of the technician. Injured, lateral Vitor Luís can not play on Thursday. If he is released after revaluation he can resume his position by sending Gilson to the bank.

History of the bouts between São Paulo and Botafogo
The tricolor won 26 of the 58 matches he made against Botafogo in the Brasileirao. That includes the 4 to 3, turning in the last seconds, of the first round of 2017. The alvinegro sums 20 successes and the draws were 12.

Hernanes is certainly the best player in São Paulo and one of the best in the Brasileirao. The tricolor does not have the athlete cast able to replace it maintaining the level of performance. By playing at home and needing victory to try to reach higher goals, you could end up making room for Botafogo to explore its most striking feature: counterattacks at full speed.
This opens up the opportunity for a hunch in the visiting team, which is priced at 3.00 in Rivalo. The prize for a draw is 3.40. Victory of the owners of the house pays 2.30 for each real bet.