Luis Torres
Dailysports's expert
On June 23, 2025, the third round of the Club World Cup Group B will see Atlético Madrid take on Botafogo. The match kicks off at 21:00 Central European Time. Let’s take a look at the best bet for this high-stakes clash.
Atlético Madrid
Atlético Madrid bounced back after a disastrous start to their Club World Cup campaign, where they suffered a heavy 0-4 defeat against PSG in the opening match. In their second outing, they redeemed themselves with a commanding 3-1 victory over Seattle Sounders, with Pablo Barrios starring as the hero by netting a brace. The group situation now stands such that Atlético have only one option in the final group game: victory is a must to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Last season, Diego Simeone’s men maintained their typically high standards. In the Champions League, they reached the Round of 16 but bowed out in dramatic fashion to Real Madrid in a penalty shootout. In the Copa del Rey, Atlético also made it to the semifinals before being knocked out by Barcelona, and they finished third in La Liga, once again securing their spot in next season’s Champions League.
The club is now entering a new chapter—making their debut at the Club World Cup, a valuable opportunity for international experience. As for the upcoming showdown with Botafogo, it will be the first-ever meeting between these two sides.
Botafogo
Botafogo, on the other hand, have been a pleasant surprise in the group stage. In their opening match, they confidently dispatched Seattle Sounders 2-1—a result that was well deserved. But the real shocker came in the second round, where they stunned PSG, pulling off an upset few saw coming. After two rounds, the Brazilian club sits atop the group, just one step away from the playoffs, though there’s still a theoretical chance of elimination—everything will be decided in the final matchday.
The team’s form inspires optimism: Botafogo have won five matches in a row, keeping clean sheets in three of them. In the Brazilian league, they currently hold eighth place, just six points behind the leaders. On the international front, things are going well too—the club has cruised into the Copa Libertadores Round of 16, where they will face LDU Quito.
Probable lineups
- Atlético Madrid: Oblak, Galán, Le Normand, Giménez, Llorente, Simeone, Barrios, Koke, De Paul, Sørloth, Álvarez.
- Botafogo: John Victor, Alex Telles, Barbosa, Vitinho, Jair, Marlon Freitas, Gregore, Allan, Quintero, Arthur, Igor Jesus.
Key facts and head-to-head
- Atlético Madrid have won 3 of their last 4 matches.
- 5 of Atlético Madrid’s last 6 games have seen over 2.5 goals.
- Atlético Madrid scored first in 3 of their last 4 matches.
- Botafogo are on a five-match winning streak.
- Botafogo scored first in each of their last 5 matches.
- This is the first-ever encounter between these teams.
Prediction for Atlético Madrid vs Botafogo
Atlético Madrid enter this decisive group stage fixture with a clear objective—only a win will keep their playoff dreams alive. The team has already shown their fighting spirit by dispatching Seattle Sounders after a rough start. Despite Botafogo’s impressive run, the class, experience, and motivation of Los Colchoneros should prove decisive in this battle. My pick for this match: Atlético Madrid to win at odds of 1.75.
