Independiente Petrolero and Botafogo meet on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 9:00 PM, at Estadio Tigo La Huerta in Asuncion, Paraguay, in the fifth round of the Copa Sudamericana group stage. Conmebol moved the match out of Bolivia because of security concerns amid protests and roadblocks in the country.
Botafogo enter the match as Group E leaders with 10 points, already guaranteed a place in the knockout stage and still chasing direct qualification to the round of 16. Independiente Petrolero sit bottom of the group and are still without a point in the competition.
How to watch Independiente Petrolero vs Botafogo
- Free-to-air TV: no announced broadcast
- Streaming: Paramount+
- Date: Wednesday, May 20, 2026
- Kickoff: 9:00 PM
- Venue: Estadio Tigo La Huerta, in Asuncion, Paraguay
- Competition: Copa Sudamericana, fifth round of the group stage
Projected Botafogo lineup
Franclim Carvalho is expected to adjust the midfield after Danilo was left out. Huguinho is likely to get another chance in the starting side, while Vitinho is competing for the right-back spot. Botafogo’s projected lineup is: Neto; Vitinho, Nahuel Ferraresi, Alexander Barboza and Alex Telles; Huguinho, Cristian Medina and Alvaro Montoro; Lucas Villalba, Kadir and Arthur Cabral.
Who is ruled out
For Botafogo, Kaio Pantaleao, Nathan Fernandes, Allan, Matheus Martins, Junior Santos and Newton are out through injury. Danilo also did not travel after being left out of the squad.
For Independiente Petrolero, Saul Torres is suspended after being sent off.
Projected Independiente Petrolero lineup
Coach Thiago Leitao is expected to set up the Bolivian side with: Johan Gutierrez; Leonardo Montenegro, Eduardo Porto, Luis Palma and Francisco Rodriguez; Daniel Rojas, Diego Vargas and Rudy Cardozo; Wille Barboza, Alan Mercado and Rodrigo Rivas.
What to watch before kickoff
The venue change removes Sucre’s altitude from the match and turns the fixture into a neutral-site game in Paraguay. For Botafogo, the main issue is managing the squad’s workload without wasting the chance to tighten their grip on first place in the group. For Petrolero, already out of contention for qualification, the match is more about trying to respond in a continental campaign that has yet to produce a point.