Verdict: Home win
Best odds: 1/2
Bookmaker: BetUS
Two Brasileiro teams who have struggled to find their footing in the 2024 campaign face off at the Maracana on Saturday, as Fluminense host Juventude.
While Fluminense are looking to avoid a fourth consecutive league match without a win, Juventude have managed just one victory in their last six matches across all competitions.
Fluminense
After finishing seventh in the Brasileiro standings last season, Fluminense have made a slow start to this year’s campaign, earning no more than five points from their opening six league fixtures.
Fernando Diniz’s side have lost each of their first three away games against Bahia, Corinthians, and Sao Paulo, while their only home triumph in the top flight thus far was a 2-1 win over Vasco da Gama at the end of April.
The Big Flu currently find themselves stuck in the relegation zone in 17th place, although a victory over Juventude on Saturday could propel them to as high as ninth if results elsewhere go their way.
Fluminense’s early-season league form may leave a little to be desired, but they have impressed in recent weeks across all competitions, having won five of their last seven matches, including each of their last three, most recently beating Alianza Lima 3-2 in the Copa Libertadores group stage on Thursday.
Diniz and his men have not lost any of their last seven games on home soil and will fancy their chances of success on Saturday against a Juventude side whom they have beaten in three of their last four home meetings, including a 4-0 victory in September 2022.
Team News
Fluminense are still contending with the absence of key players Andre and Lele, both sidelined with knee injuries. Additionally, Samuel Xavier and Manoel are doubtful due to respective foot and muscle issues.
Lima, who overcame an illness to start in midweek, is expected to retain his spot in midfield alongside Alexsander. The team will rely heavily on the experience of seasoned players like goalkeeper Fabio (43), and field players Felipe Melo (40), Marcelo, Renato Augusto, and German Cano (all 36), all of whom are expected to play in this game.
Juventude
Since earning promotion from the second tier last season, Juventude have managed to gather five points from their initial four Brasileiro fixtures, outperforming fellow newly-promoted teams Vitoria and Atletico Goianiense, who sit below them in the standings.
Juventude secured a win in their first home game of the season, defeating Corinthians 2-0. However, they suffered a significant setback just three days later with a 5-1 thrashing by Botafogo.
The team has not played a competitive match since April 28 due to the devastating floods in Brazil, and on that day, they played out a 1-1 draw against league leaders Athletico Paranaense, quite a respectable result.
Under the guidance of Roger Machado, who previously managed Fluminense in 2021, Juventude currently occupy 15th place in the top-flight standings, sitting four points above the relegation zone. A win on Saturday could potentially propel them into the top half of the table.
Juventude are aiming for a positive run in the coming weeks, with their next three matches against teams currently in the relegation zone, including Fluminense, a team they have defeated in two of their last three encounters.
Team News
Jean Carlos and Rodrigo Sam are out with calf and ankle injuries, respectively, while Caique Goncalves will miss the match due to a one-match suspension for accumulating yellow cards.
Edson Carioca is dealing with a thigh issue and will be assessed ahead of kick-off. If he is not fit to start, Marcelinho may take his place on the left flank, joining Lucas Barbosa, Erick Farias, and 42-year-old Nene in the attack.
Conclusion
It should be an interesting contest between two teams of similar quality, but Fluminense should be able to take advantage of their opponents perhaps not being at their 100% following the forced month-long break from action.
Verdict: Home win
Best odds: 1/2
Bookmaker: BetUS
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