Paulistão Preview: Botafogo SP Host Primavera in Early Season Clash
Botafogo SP will host Primavera at Estádio Santa Cruz in an early fixture of the 2026 Campeonato Paulista. Home side Botafogo SP have had a slow start and are eager to secure crucial points, while visitors Primavera look to build on their comparatively stronger opening to the season. This match holds significant importance for both teams' early standing in the league campaign.
Match Background & Qualification Scenarios
The 2026 Campeonato Paulista Série A1, commonly known as Paulistão, is the top-tier professional state football league in São Paulo, Brazil, and one of the oldest leagues in the country, typically running from January to April. This season, Paulistão has adopted a new format inspired by the UEFA Champions League, with all 16 teams initially competing in a single group across eight rounds. The top eight teams will advance to the knockout stages, while the bottom two will face relegation.
This match is part of the early season campaign. Botafogo SP have had a disappointing start, currently sitting 15th in Paulista A1 with 0 wins, 2 draws, and 1 loss from three matches, accumulating 2 points. They average just 0.33 goals scored and 2 goals conceded per game. In contrast, Primavera has enjoyed a relatively better start, positioned 6th with 1 win, 1 draw, and 1 loss from three games, earning 4 points, and averaging 2.33 goals scored while conceding 2 goals per match. For Botafogo SP, this home game is a crucial opportunity to reverse their fortunes and avoid the relegation zone, while Primavera aims to solidify their standing and climb higher in the league table.
Recent Form
Botafogo SP's recent form in their last five official matches has been concerning. They suffered a heavy 0-5 defeat to Bragantino on January 18, preceded by draws of 1-1 against Noroeste-SP and 0-0 against Velo Clube. In November 2025, they also drew 0-0 with Avaí and lost 0-2 to Criciúma. Overall, Botafogo SP has not secured a win in their last five matches, recording three draws and two losses.
Primavera's recent form is comparatively better. They narrowly lost 3-4 to Novorizontino on January 17, but secured a 3-1 victory over Mirassol on January 14, and drew 1-1 with Guarani on January 10. In the Copa Paulista in October 2025, they lost 0-2 to Piracicaba in the second leg of the final after winning the first leg 1-0. In total, Primavera has a record of 2 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses in their last five matches.
Key Players & Injury News
Key players for Botafogo SP include forward Leandro Isaac Maciel, who has scored 1 goal this season. Goalkeeper Victor Bernardes Andrade E Souza is a crucial presence in defense, while defender Gustavo Vilar dos Santos and midfielder Rafael Gava also play important roles. Regarding injuries, there are no significant new injury concerns specifically reported for Botafogo SP for this match.
For Primavera, attacking mainstays include Gabriel Poveda, who has scored 2 goals, and Kevin Peterson Dos Santos Silva, who has provided 2 assists. Forward Paulo Baya, defender Ligger, midfielder Mateus Anjos, and attacker Welliton Matheus are also vital contributors to the team. As of now, Primavera has not reported any significant new injuries or suspensions.