PSG vs Botafogo Prediction, Preview, Predicted Lineups and Team News | Club World Cup

PSG vs Botafogo Preview

Tournament: FIFA Club World Cup

Date: Friday, 20 June 2025

Time: 01:00 AM GMT

Venue: Rose Bowl

The European and South American champions will square off in Pasadena's Rose Bowl on Thursday when Paris Saint-Germain takes on Botafogo, who both won their first Club World Cup match. PSG continued their scintillating form by ruthlessly putting four past Atletico Madrid, while their Brazilian counterparts started off Group B by edging out Seattle Sounders.

PSG defeated Atletico Madrid 4-0 to start the season, displaying Luis Enrique's signature possession-heavy, high-pressing 4-3-3 formation. PSG showed their depth and adaptable attacking structure with 74% of the ball and goals from midfielders Vitinha and Fabián Ruiz, as well as substitutes Senny Mayulu and Lee Kang-in. With five goal involvements in his past three games, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is still playing well, while Gonçalo Ramos leads the line with constant movement and pressuring. With a victory, PSG, who currently lead Group B on goal differential, may guarantee a trip to the knockout stage.

The 2024 Copa Libertadores winners, Botafogo, defeated the Seattle Sounders 2-1 in their first game and are now ranked second in the group. They prefer a small, counterattacking formation under Renato Paiva, frequently defending in the middle of the block and breaking fast through wide players like Artur and Jefferson Savarino. Their greatest danger is still their talismanic striker, Igor Jesus, who has three headers in his previous three games. Botafogo has won nine of their previous 12 games, demonstrating tenacity and tactical discipline in spite of losing important players like Luiz Henrique and Thiago Almada.

PSG Team News

Bradley Barcola is back in full training and ready, but Luis Enrique is anticipated to make a few changes to the starting lineup, particularly because Ousmane Dembélé is still out with a muscle injury. PSG's seamless control has been anchored by midfielders Vitinha, Fabián Ruiz, and João Neves. Vitinha and Ruiz each scored in the first game, while Neves has excelled with his poise and ball recovery. Enrique has a lot of tactical flexibility if the game demands it because of the bench depth, which includes threats like Senny Mayulu and Lee Kang-in.

Botafogo Team News

It is anticipated that head coach Renato Paiva would make a few minor adjustments to his setup, maybe choosing a tighter shape to counter PSG's pressure. Fresh off another headed goal, Igor Jesus continues to be the main offensive target, with Artur and Jefferson Savarino providing breadth and pace on the flanks. There is hope that Cuiabano will recover from a back injury and take Alex Telles' spot at left back. However, Matheus Martins and Jeffinho are ruled out, and Joaquín Correa remains doubtful owing to fitness issues.

PSG vs Botafogo Predicted Lineups

PSG Predicted Lineup (4:3:3):

Goalkeeper: Donnarumma

Defenders: Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes

Midfielders: Neves, Vitinha, Ruiz

Attackers: Kvaratskhelia, Ramos, Doue

Botafogo Predicted Lineup (4:2:3:1):

Goalkeeper: John

Defenders: Vitinho, Cunha, Barboza, Telles

Midfielders: Gregore, Freitas

Attackers: Artur, Savarino, Cuiabano, Jesus

PSG vs Botafogo Head-to-Head Record

They have not played each other in a game in the recent past, as this will be their first official meeting when the 32-team FIFA Club World Cup is organized in the United States.

Key Players to Watch in PSG vs Botafogo

Fabian Ruiz (PSG)

Together with Vitinha, the Spanish international set the pace and opened the score with a calm finish, helping PSG defeat Atletico Madrid 4–0. Fabian Ruiz is a deep-lying playmaker who connects defence and attack with deft passing and astute positioning, which is essential to PSG's fluidity in their 4-3-3 formation.

Against Botafogo's dynamic midfield, his ability to maintain possession under duress will be crucial, particularly because the Brazilian team is probably going to take a tight, counterattacking tack. Ruiz might make the difference again if he can duplicate his performance from the Atlético game, in which he not only scored but also completed more than 90% of his passes.

Igor Jesus (Botafogo)

After finishing a strong first half with a soaring header—his third headed goal in as many games—the 24-year-old striker was awarded Player of the Match in their 2-1 victory over the Seattle Sounders. Jesus, who had an 86% success rate in the air during the Seattle game, thrives on physical combat and aerial duels.

He is a continual danger because of his mobility in the box and timing of his runs, particularly when provided by wide players like Vitinho and Artur. A move to Nottingham Forest is rumoured to be imminent; therefore, this game may also be one of his final ones wearing a Botafogo shirt. As he leads the line against one of the strongest defences in Europe, we can count on him to give it his all on the pitch.

PSG vs Botafogo Prediction

With Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in explosive form and midfield maestros like Vitinha and Fabián Ruiz directing play, PSG's flowing 4-3-3 style appears to be almost unstoppable.

Renato Paiva's team displayed defensive weaknesses, giving up 23 shots to the struggling Seattle Sounders, despite Botafogo's tenacity and offensive desire. Botafogo is likely to sit deeper and try to counter with Jefferson Savarino and Jesus, but PSG should easily win thanks to their superior technical skill and depth in the squad.

Predicted Score: PSG 3-1 Botafogo

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