All you need to know about the match between Náutico and Botafogo-PB in the 1st round of the Copa do Nordeste, on February 3rd, Saturday, at 4pm, at Estádio dos Aflitos, in Recife.
The 21st edition of the 2024 Northeast Cup is about to start with considerably bigger prizes. The champion will receive around 2 million reais, the runner-up will earn around 1.3 million, and the teams that reach the quarter-finals will receive approximately 500 thousand reais each.
Náutico
In the midst of this journey, we find the renowned Náutico, a team that boasts a solid history in the Copa do Nordeste. Over the course of its 121 matches played in this competition, Náutico won 49 wins in 121 games (40%).
At home, their performance was even better, with 45% wins, while away they achieved 37%. The team scored 186 goals (average of 1.54 per match) and conceded 157 (average of 1.3), with 79% of games having goals scored and 69% with goals conceded.
In the 2023 season of the Copa do Nordeste, Náutico faced difficulties, suffering a 3-1 elimination in the quarterfinals against ABC. However, the team also achieved notable victories, including a thrilling 3-2 triumph over Ferroviário in phase 1. In 2022, they reached the quarter-finals, but were eliminated by Botafogo-PB after a penalty shootout.
Coach Allan Aal, from Náutico, made several changes to the team, testing five different formations, with emphasis on players such as Kauan, Evandro, Fernandinho, Vanegas, Paulo Sérgio and Leandro Barcia.
Thus, Aal emphasizes building rapport, but does not confirm a definitive starting line-up, due to competing in two competitions simultaneously. The planned formation is 4-2-3-1.
Botafogo-PB
Botafogo-PB, with a notable history in the Copa do Nordeste, was absent from the 2023 edition after being eliminated by Santa Cruz, losing the opportunity to participate for the tenth consecutive time. This early elimination also resulted in a considerable financial impact, with a loss of more than R$1.9 million in participation shares.
In the current season, Botafogo-PB stood out in the Copa do Nordeste qualifiers by beating Jacuipense on penalties after a goalless draw at home and advancing with a victory on penalties after a 1-1 draw against Potiguar in the second phase of qualifications.
Botafogo-PB’s history in this competition is rich. In 147 games, they recorded 44 wins (30%), 44 draws (30%), and 59 defeats (40%). Their performance away from home was challenging, with just 23% winning. The team scored 166 goals with an average of 1.13 per game, but conceded 196, with an average of 1.33 goals against per game, showing defensive vulnerability, conceding goals in 73% of games.
Coach Cristian de Souza leads Botafogo-PB with experienced striker Pipico, 38 years old. Pipico is looking to return to peak form in 2024, although he is yet to score goals. The team plans to adopt a 3-4-3 tactical system.
In the most recent clashes between Náutico and Botafogo-PB, there was balance, with draws in 2023 and 2022 (1×1 each). In 2020, Botafogo-PB won 2-1.
Conclusion:
Therefore, due to the history of goals in their direct confrontations, the recommendation is to explore the “Both Teams to Score” market, given the high probability of both teams scoring during the game.