Racing Club vs Botafogo RJ prediction 15.04.2026 | CONMEBOL Sudamericana

La Academia had a chance to build something at the weekend but could not quite take it. Losing to River Plate, and failing to score again, makes it two blanks in their last three matches.

That is not ideal, especially at home. Still, it was their first home defeat in five, which softens the blow slightly. There is a sense that performances have not fully dropped, just the finishing. Gustavo Costas will probably see it that way. However, absences could make things trickier.

Marcos Rojo is suspended after that red card, which is a noticeable loss in defense. Elías Torres and Valentín Carboni are long-term absentees, while Gabriel Rojas is also out.

The Glorious One seem to have steadied themselves after a rough patch in March. Three straight defeats felt worrying at the time, but since then, the response has been decent.

One loss in six matches is not bad at all. More importantly, they have avoided defeat in their last four, which builds some confidence.

Defensively, though, there is still a concern. No clean sheet in eleven matches is hard to ignore. You can picture games where they start well but allow opponents back in. Away form is not terrible, just two losses in the last six, which gives them a chance here.

Arthur Cabral is expected to lead the attack, while injuries to Kaio, Joaquín Correa, Marçal and Alex Telles limit options a bit.