In the early hours of Friday morning (European time) Fluminense host Flamengo in a Rio derby.
Fluminense have endured an inconsistent campaign in the Brazilian Serie A. However, the home side are still in the Copa Sudamericana spots. In fact, a win could move the home side up the table as high as second place if results elsewhere go their way.
Abel Braga’s side has won just two of their last five Serie A games. Last time out in the Brazilian top-flight, the home side suffered a 2-1 defeat at Parana after a goalless draw at Gremio.
Fluminense’s games are usually pretty entertaining. The fact that both teams have scored in 13 of their last 17 Serie A games illustrates that perfectly.
Braga’s team have been hard to beat on home soil in Serie A, as they have suffered defeat in just one of their last ten league games. The home side has scored in their last ten home games in the Brazilian top-flight.
The visitors are currently top of the league after just one defeat in their nine Serie A games so far this season. Mauricio Barbieri’s side has won their last three league games, keeping clean sheets in all three victories.
Their recent Serie A games have been low scoring with under 2.5 goals scored in their last four outings. The fact that the visitors have kept clean sheets in six of their last eight league games has contributed to those recent low scoring outings.
Flamengo’s recent away form has improved, as the visitors have won three of their last five league games on their travels after a terrible run of form on the road.
Their recent Serie A games on the road have been high scoring, as there have been over 2.5 goals scored in four of their last five games.
Forebet predicts that Flamengo will record a victory in a high scoring clash to move to the top of the table.