JEREZ DE GARCÍA SALINAS, Mexico (Interstat) — Botafogo will host Uniao Corinthians on Friday at Marcelino Gonzalez in Jerez de García Salinas, Mexico, with both teams carrying 1-2 season records into the matchup. The game gives each side an opportunity to move above .500 and gain early momentum.

Uniao Corinthians enters after a 75-63 loss at Pinheiros. Renato Carbonari was productive in the defeat with 18 points, eight rebounds and one assist in 30 minutes. Rafael Munford added 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Matheus Eugeniusz had nine points, three rebounds and four assists. Carbonari has been a consistent frontcourt presence in recent games. He posted 10 points and five rebounds against Minas and six points, six rebounds and one assist against Cruzeiro. Carbonari is the player to watch for Uniao Corinthians as it looks to improve its offensive rhythm and rebounding on the road.

Botafogo comes in after an 84-82 home win over Caxias do Sul. Vinicius Chagas led the way with 27 points, nine rebounds, two assists and two blocks in 34 minutes. Alexander Mudronja added 26 points, five rebounds, five assists and one block, while Vithinho contributed 11 points, two rebounds and eight assists. Chagas also scored 17 points with five rebounds and one assist at Flamengo. Chagas is the player to watch for Botafogo, which will rely on his scoring and activity on both ends.

Uniao Corinthians also has recent results against Minas and Cruzeiro, losing 88-71 and winning 83-74. Botafogo lost 89-88 at Pato Basquete and fell 81-71 at Flamengo earlier this season. Uniao Corinthians has scored 63, 71 and 83 points in its three games this season, while Botafogo has scored 71, 88 and 84. Uniao Corinthians will look to Carbonari and Munford inside, while Botafogo will lean on Chagas and Mudronja to create offense. After Friday, Uniao Corinthians is scheduled to visit Flamengo, host UNICEUB and Pato Basquete, and travel to Franca and Bauru. Botafogo is next set to visit UNICEUB before hosting Franca and traveling to Paraiba and Cearense. Carbonari, Munford, Chagas and Mudronja all reached double figures in their teams’ most recent games, and each has been among the most productive players for his club this season. Both teams are still seeking consistent form early in the season.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a final score of Botafogo 78, Uniao Corinthians 74. Interstat’s ELO system gives Uniao Corinthians a 52.4 percent probability to win. Uniao Corinthians is installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -1.5, and the over/under for the game is 161.5.