Botafogo vs Chapecoense-sc - Copa Do Brasil

Few would have predicted the narrative arc that brings Botafogo and Chapecoense-sc together at the home ground on April 21, 2026, and the underdog storyline only adds to the Copa Do Brasil occasion. Manchester City face the K-League All-Stars in Seoul as part of their pre-season tour of Asia.

Both camps will view the Copa Do Brasil meeting at the home ground as an opportunity to put a marker down, regardless of where they currently stand. The hosts will be looking to find their rhythm and put a run of results together. The visitors will back themselves to cause problems and will not make the trip expecting an easy afternoon. Their 3-0 win over Nice takes them up to second spot in the fledgling Ligue 1 table.

Wing play is likely to be central to the contest. Botafogo will look to stretch the pitch and isolate their wide attackers, while Chapecoense-sc must find a way to compress the space and choke the supply lines. Tuesday's print edition of ABC, as relayed by Sport Witness, have claimed that Betis turned down a €50m approach from a wealthy non-Premier League club for Antony.

The fixture features no shortage of talent, and the league's top marksman Carlos Vinícius — 3 goals this term — will be one to watch. Whoever wins the individual duel between the two sides' chief playmakers is likely to dictate the rhythm and, ultimately, the destination of the points. Despite his youth, the defender has won a total of six titles with Benfica and the national team, and was named as the best defender in the 2022/23 Portuguese league season.

Without the market to lean on, the contest feels genuinely open — and the outcome may come down to which side handles the occasion better. Neither side holds a clear edge, and a 1-1 draw would be a fitting reflection of the balance between them. Whatever the outcome, the Copa Do Brasil fixture promises a meaningful contest with real implications for both clubs. It is understood that his next move is most likely to take him abroad - and potentially to the Premier League.