Prediction: Flamengo vs Atletico Goianiense

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best odds: 1/1

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Brasileiro Serie A returns with a fresh set of fixtures this weekend, featuring Flamengo hosting Atletico Goianiense at the Estadio do Maracana on Saturday. Atletico, who suffered a 2-1 defeat in the season opener back in April, will be eager to turn the tables on the hosts and end their 10-game winless streak.

Flamengo

Flamengo edged closer to league leaders Botafogo by securing a 2-1 victory over Vitoria at the Estadio Manoel Barradas on Wednesday. Giorgian de Arrasceta broke the deadlock in the 35th minute, and though Everaldo equalized for the hosts with 15 minutes left to play, Carlinhos grabbed a 90th-minute winner for his team.

Tite’s side have now remained unbeaten in five of their last six matches, recording four wins and one draw, with their sole blemish being a 2-1 defeat to Fortaleza on July 12.

With 37 points from 18 matches, Flamengo currently sit second in the Serie A standings. Their three-point gap to Botafogo seems manageable, especially since they have a game in hand over the top-placed team.

Team News

Tite has three players unavailable for selection with various issues: Bruno Henrique (sprained ankle), Erick Pulgar (gastrointestinal discomfort) and Wesley (thigh).

Atletico Goianiense

The contrast is stark as Atletico Goianiense continue to struggle at the wrong end of the table, having been held to a 1-1 draw by Bahia in their most recent outing. Luis Fernando put them ahead after an hour, but pandemonium reigned at the end as Jean Lucas netted the Bahia equalizer in the ninth minute of stoppage time. To make matters worse, no less than three Atletico players – Alix Vinicius, Emiliano Rodriguez and Guilherme Romao – were sent off in that period.

Vagner Mancini’s men have now gone 10 consecutive matches without a win, losing six and drawing four since their 2-1 victory over Fluminense on June 16.

With just 12 points from 19 matches, Atletico Goianiense are currently glued to the bottom of the table. A win on Saturday could see them draw level with 18th-placed Vitoria, though they will be aware of the difficulties of traveling to face a team competing at the top of the league.

Team News

Vinicius, Rodriguez and Romao are suspended as a consequence of what happened at the end of the game against Bahia, and it will represent a significant problem Mancini has to deal with.

Furthermore, defender Bruno Taburao is absent with a thigh injury.

Conclusion

Flamengo will be relishing this chance to book important three points as they battle Botafogo for the top, but they’ll also be aware that underestimating an opponent fighting tooth-and-nail to get off the floor can often prove costly.

Expect the home side to secure a victory without much fuss. But the visitors are likely to get a goal at the other end, given that Flamengo failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last seven matches.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best odds: 1/1

Bookmaker: Olympusbet