Following a slow start to the season, Fluminense and Corinthians will both be hoping to kick-start their 2021 Brazilian Serie A campaigns when they meet in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday.
Having won just two of their opening six matches, Corinthians find themselves eleventh in the early-season standings.
However, ninth-place Fluminense have also won two games this term and only sit one point clear of Corinthians in the table.
Fluminense head into Sunday’s clash on the back of a 1-0 away defeat to Atletico Goianiense in midweek.
That means they have only managed to win one of their previous four matches in all competitions (two draws, two losses).
Still, it is worth pointing out that Fluminense have only lost one of their six Serie A games this season (two wins, three draws).
Having conceded just four goals across their opening six matches, Fluminense currently boast one of the best defensive records in the league.
However, they have only managed to score five goals during that period, making them one of the lowest scorers in the division.
On the other hand, Corinthians head into Sunday’s game on the back of a much-needed 2-1 victory over Sport Recife.
After profiting from a first-half own goal, veteran striker Jo doubled his side’s advantage early in the second half before Sport Recife netted a late consolation.
Including a goalless draw with Atletico GO in the Copa do Brasil, Corinthians have only lost one of their previous six matches in all competitions (two wins, three draws).
But when you consider the bigger picture, they have only managed to win two of their last 11 Serie A games.
We could be set for a low-scoring encounter on Sunday, as each of Corinthians’ last five away league matches have produced under 2.5 goals.
Head-to-head: Let’s not forget that Corinthains thrashed Fluminense 5-0 the last time the two sides met back in January.
However, that is Corinthians only win in their previous seven meetings with Fluminense in all competitions, with Fluminense winning three of their last four.
Team news: Thankfully for Fluminense, they have no fresh injury concerns heading into Sunday’s showdown.
On the flips side, Corinthians will be without long-term absentee Danilo Avelar, as the centre-back continues to recover from cruciate ligament damage.
Given that both Fluminense and Corinthians have made a slow start to the season, Sunday’s clash is likely to be a cagey affair.
With that in mind, Forebet predicts that Fluminense and Corinthians will produce a low-scoring draw.