Botafogo vs Seattle Sounders predictions: Sounders set to frustrate favourites
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- Botafogo have scored just 14 goals in 11 Serie A matches this term
- Seattle are sixth in the MLS’ Western Conference, earning 17 of their 26 points at home
- Recommended bet: Seattle Sounders or draw double chance
The changes to the Club World Cup have opened the door for plenty of new sides to make their competition debut, including Botafogo and Seattle Sounders, who will do battle at Lumen Field in the early hours of Monday morning.
Botafogo, who actually would have made the tournament even if there was no revamp after winning the 2024 Copa Libertadores, are strong favourites to take three points from their opener but a slow start to the Serie A season for the Brazilian and South American champions is not the ideal preparation.
Their task will be made harder by the fact Seattle have the strange bonus of home-field advantage, with this clash — as well as their other two group games — taking place at their Lumen Field base, potentially swinging the balance in their favour.
Team news
Christian Loor, Kaio Fernando, Alvaro Montoro, and two forwards with European experience, Arthur Cabral and Joaquin Correa, have all joined Botafogo ahead of this tournament. Correa is the standout signing but he is lacking match fitness and may be resigned to a spot on the bench.
Cuiabano, Matheus Martins and Jeffinho, once of Lyon, are notable absentees for the Brazilian side.
Kee-hee Kim and Yeimar Gomez Andrade are sidelined for Seattle, who will also have to do without their all-time top scorer Jordan Morris.
The stats
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Seattle’s only loss in 10 home matches in 2025 came against Minnesota, who are third in the MLS’ Western Conference.
Botafogo have won just three of their 16 away games in 2025.
This will be both of these sides’ first Club World Cup match.
Botafogo have scored just 14 goals in their 11 league games.
Sounders’ only defeats in five came against Vancouver and Minnesota, sides with top-five records in the MLS.
Four of Botafogo’s last five matches saw one or both teams fail to find the net.
Prediction
Given they landed the Brazilian Serie A and Copa Libertadores titles in 2024, it is no surprise to see Botafogo come into their Club World Cup opener as favourites, but an odds-on price looks short for a side whose best form is reserved for their Nilton Santos home.
Fogo have won just three of their 16 away matches in 2025 and with this clash sure to feel like a home game for Seattle, they may struggle to let their superior quality show.
New signings Correa and Cabral should help bolster a frontline which has managed just 14 goals in 11 Serie A matches but they may take some time to settle.
Sounders, meanwhile, will have no fears of adjusting as this match is to be played at Lumen Field, where they have lost just one of 10 matches in 2025 — that sole defeat came against a strong Minnesota side.
Although Botafogo have far stronger players, Seattle are no pushovers and will be backed by a fired-up crowd in Washington State.
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