In the early hours of Thursday, Flamengo hosts Athletico Paranaense in the Copa do Brasil quarter-final first leg as both teams search for a potentially crucial lead to take into the second leg.
The home team heads into this clash in high spirits after four straight wins in all competitions. A 2-1 win at Avai in Serie A last time out means that Flamengo has also scored at least two goals in all four of those recent unbeaten matches. At the other end of the pitch, they have also conceded just once in the stellar run of form.
Flamengo has a relatively good recent record in the Copa do Brasil, winning three of their last four competitive games.
They recovered from a 2-1 first leg defeat at Atletico Mineiro in the previous round by winning the second leg 2-0. The game saw Flamengo score at least two goals for the third time in four matches in the Copa do Brasil.
The visitor's recent form could not have been more inconsistent, as they won two, lost two and drawn two of their previous six matches in all competitions. Last time out, Athletico suffered a 2-0 defeat at Botafogo in Serie A.
Athletico Paranaense’s recent record in the Copa do Brasil is good, as they have now recorded four straight victories in the competition while scoring at least two goals in all four wins.
The visitor's recent record on their travels in the Copa do Brasil is a good one, as they have won four of their last five cup games away from home.
Athletico has also won the last two meetings with Flamengo in all competitions, keeping clean sheets in both victories.
Forebet predicts that Athletico Paranaense will record a victory in a high-scoring encounter to take a narrow advantage into the tie's second leg.