Fluminense vs Botafogo Prediction: Maracana magic from John Kennedy in Classico Vovo

Fluminense and Botafogo RJ have already faced off this season, with the former winning 1-0 at the latter’s Estadio Olimpico Nilton Santos in the Carioca on February 1. The second Classico Vovo, and first of the new Brazilian Serie A campaign, takes place at the Maracana on Thursday (22:30 GMT).

Below are my Fluminense vs Botafogo predictions, alongside team news and match odds.

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Team News

German Cano (knee) hasn’t featured for Fluminense since October due to injury, and the Argentine attacker remains sidelined for the visit of Botafogo on Thursday.

Nonato (unspecified) is also doubtful for Luis Zubeldia’s side after missing Sunday’s 1-0 win against Marica in the Carioca.

Football Odds

As for Martin Anselmi’s Botafogo, Joaquin Correa (muscle), Marcal (knee), Chris Ramos and Santiago Rodriguez (both unspecified) look likely to miss out at the Maracana.

Fluminense vs Botafogo Odds

Fluminense are 19/20 to win, implying a 51.3% probability of success, Botafogo are 3/1, or a 25% chance, and the draw is offered at 11/5.

Match Result & Total Goals Over/Under 3.5 - Fluminense & Under 3.5 @ 13/8

Seven of Flu’s eight matches across all competitions this calendar year have finished with three or fewer goals, including both league games.

Botafogo, meanwhile, have seen six of their eight go under 2.5 goals, although the two that went over were both in Serie A.

Fogo shipped five goals at Gremio last time out in the league, but last season, they boasted the fourth-best defence in the competition, conceding 38 goals in as many games, just one fewer than Flu and Mirassol (both 39).

The last six Classico Vovos have ended with three or fewer goals scored, and Flu have won the previous two, including last season’s corresponding league fixture (2-0).

Today's Football Fixtures

Flu won their final nine home league games in 2025, keeping a clean sheet in nine, while all but one finished with three or fewer goals scored.

The Tricolor made it 10 in a row with a 2-1 victory over Gremio on January 29, and now go in search of number 11 on Thursday.

Fogo have lost their last three away games across all competitions and haven’t won a league match on their travels since October 19, drawing four times towards the end of last year before falling 5-3 at Gremio in their first Serie A away day this term.

So, a home win and under 3.5 total goals appeals to me here at 13/8.

Anytime Goalscorer - John Kennedy (FLU) @ 21/10

Flu forward John Kennedy has been on fire the last few weeks, scoring three goals in his last five appearances to take his 2026 tally to four goals in eight games.

The 23-year-old has struck three times in the Carioca, including a decisive strike in a 2-1 victory over Flamengo and the winner in the Classico Vovo earlier this month.

The Brazilian got off the mark in Serie A against Bahia last Thursday, opening the scoring in the 20th minute, and having found success against Fogo already this season, he’ll fancy his chances of posing them more problems this week.