Prediction: Flamengo vs Fluminense

Verdict: Under 2.5 goals

Best Odds: 10/11

Bookmaker: Luckster

With a Copa do Brasil quarter-final spot still hanging in the balance, Flamengo and Fluminense will meet for their second-leg showdown in the early hours of Friday.

Flamengo

Starting with the hosts, putting in a gritty display on May 16th as they snatched a 0-0 stalemate away at Fluminense, Flamengo should feel like they’re sat in pole position to extend on their Copa do Brasil adventure here. Although the Brazilian giants might have been last seen over the weekend playing out a 1-1 draw against Cruzeiro while on Serie A duties, Jorge Sampaoli’s men are enjoying an eye-catching flurry. Despite having to settle for a stalemate in three of their previous four appearances across all competitions, the Mengao are in the midst of a six-match unbeaten run over the past month. Glad to make a return to home soil here, the former Sevilla boss has seen his squad continue to gain a reputation for their success at the Maracana. Including a rugged 1-0 victory against Corinthians on May 21st, it is worth highlighting that Flamengo have lost just one of their last nine showdowns in Gavea – a run that stems all the way back to March 8th.

Team News

Dealing with what has become a growing injury list, Flamengo look set to once again be without the likes of Bruno Henrique, Everton Ribeiro, Giorgian de Arrascaeta and Marinho. Former Barcelona and Inter Milan midfielder Arturo Vidal could be handed a full recall here.

Despite missing from the penalty spot against Cruzeiro last weekend and notching just one goal in his last four appearances across all competitions, 26-year-old Gabriel will spearhead Sampaoli’s charge in the early hours of Friday.

Fluminense

As for the visitors, while Fluminense might have enjoyed a stellar run of form when returning from March’s international break, the Tricolor have largely come crashing back down to earth. Failing to pick up any domestic momentum last weekend as they were hit with a downbeat 2-0 defeat away at Corinthians, Fernando Diniz’s side are seeking a much-welcomed recent boost. In fact, including a 1-0 loss away at Bolivian outfit The Strongest on May 25th while on Copa Libertadores duties, Fluminense have now lost each of their last three appearances across all competitions. Likewise, along with being in their longest rut since opening the 2023 campaign, the former Santos boss will also have a growing headache over his side’s rather glaring issues in the final third. Along with losing each of those three straight outings by an aggregate score of 4-0, it should also be highlighted that Friday’s guests have failed to record a single strike in over 360 minutes of action.

Team News

Juggling their own respective injury crisis, Fluminense will be without the likes of Alexsander, Gustavo Apis, Jorge and Keno. Likewise, picking up a recent knock and missing each of the Tricolor’s last three appearances, former Real Madrid superstar Marcelo is once again seen as a major doubt.

Despite drawing a blank in each of his last four domestic outings, 35-year-old German Cano should once again spearhead Diniz’s attack here.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides met for their Copa do Brasil first-leg battle on May 16th, Flamengo and Fluminense played out a 0-0 stalemate.
• Friday’s hosts are unbeaten in each of their last six straight appearances across all competitions.
• Including a 2-0 loss away at Corinthians last weekend, Fluminense have lost each of their last three appearances by an aggregate score of 4-0.
• Likewise, the Tricolor have failed to record a single goal in over 360 minutes of action.
• Each of Fluminense’s last six appearances across all competitions have finished with under 2.5 goals.

Conclusion

With the two Brazilian giants playing out a nervy 0-0 stalemate when they met for their first-leg meeting on May 16th, neutrals could be treated to another cagey affair here. With Fluminense now losing each of their last three appearances across all competitions, the Tricolor have also gained a reputation for their recent issues in the final third. Remarkably failing to muster a single strike in over 360 minutes of action, chances could come at a real premium in the early hours of Friday. Likewise, with Fluminense seeing all of their previous six straight outings finish with under 2.5 goals, we are expecting a similar outcome here.

Verdict: Under 2.5 goals

Best Odds: 10/11

Bookmaker: Luckster