Floresta faces Botafogo-PB in decisive match for promotion to Serie B

Floresta and Botafogo-PB face each other at 5 p.m. at the Presidente Vargas stadium in Fortaleza, in a duel that could decide the future of both teams in the Serie B promotion playoff. Both clubs need a victory to keep their qualification hopes alive.

What is at stake for Floresta

The "Lobo da Vila" has four points and is three points behind Maringá, who has seven. A victory against Botafogo-PB would place Floresta in second, depending on the results of Maringá and Santa Cruz. If Maringá draws with Santa Cruz, Floresta would need to win and improve its goal difference to overcome the two-goal advantage of the Paraná team.

Floresta's recent performance

During the group stage, Floresta came close to drawing with Santa Cruz and had a winning goal disallowed in the last minute against the same team. Head coach Leston Júnior described the defeat to Maringá as the worst of the tournament, pointing to physical and emotional exhaustion as factors that influenced the result.

What depends on Botafogo-PB

The "Alvinegro paraibano" has only one point and, with a loss or draw, will be eliminated. To stay alive, Botafogo-PB must win its last two matches by a large margin and also count on Maringá losing. Interim coach Victor Ferraz, a former full-back, took over the team following the dismissal of Marcelo Fernandes.

Possible scenarios for the final round

If Floresta wins and Maringá loses, the "Lobo" guarantees promotion regardless of goal difference. If Floresta loses, they can still advance if Maringá is defeated by a minimum margin and Botafogo-PB wins by a two- or three-goal difference. Botafogo-PB, on the other hand, only has a real chance if they win by a wide margin and Maringá fails to score points.

Predicted lineups

Floresta (5-3-2): Dheimison; Cedric, Islan, João Victor, Zulu, Caíque; Johnny, Nonato, Garraty; Rafinha and Rafa Marcos. Head coach: Leston Júnior.

Botafogo-PB (4-4-2): Luiz Daniel; Diogo Mateus, Yan Souto, Saimon, PK; Kayon, Jhonata Varela, Dudu Hatamoto, Diego Tavares; Rodolfo and Nenê. Head coach: Victor Ferraz.

With information from O POVO.