A second successive trip to the semi-finals of the Copa Libertadores is within touching distance for Flamengo, who host Corinthians in the second leg this week at the Maracana.
Last season's runners-up won the opening leg of this tie 2-0, handing Timao their second defeat of this competition.
Match preview
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Since the middle of July, the Flamengo we all expected at the beginning of the season have shown up in spades, going unbeaten in their previous eight matches in all competitions.
That impressive form has enabled Dorival Junior's men to climb up to third in the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A table after being in early relegation danger under Paulo Sousa.
Under Junior, this team have been a lot more responsible on the back end, posting six clean sheets in their last eight games after being shut out 1-0 by Corinthians on the road back in July.
Mengao have been dominant at home, winning all four of their matches so far at this tournament, outscoring their opponents 15-3 over that stretch.
They have not lost a quarter-final tie in the Libertadores since 2010 and have not been eliminated from a knockout stage tie when leading after the opening leg since 2008.
Flamengo have only trailed on two occasions at this year's tournament, with the longest spell being 16 minutes before finding an equaliser away to Talleres Cordoba on matchday six.
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Corinthians have a massive job ahead of them as they aim to reverse their fortunes in this tie and knock out a team brimming with confidence at the moment.
It will be a tall task for Vitor Pereira's men, who have never emerged victorious from a knockout tie with the two-time champions of this event, though they were the last team to keep them off the scoresheet domestically, as an own goal from Rodinei was enough to help Corinthians claim three points last month.
Time do Povo have conceded the opening goal in their previous two encounters but managed to recover against Avai over the weekend, drawing 1-1 and staying above Flamengo in the Serie A table by three points.
Scoring the opener in this upcoming fixture could be pivotal to their chances of coming back, as Corinthians have only suffered one defeat in their previous nine matches in which they have drawn first blood.
Playing away from home has proven to be quite challenging for this squad, who have only won one of their previous seven road matches in all competitions in normal time, failing to score in four of those encounters.
You have to go back 22 years to find the last time this club managed to reverse an opening leg deficit at this competition and advance into the next round, capturing the second match against Rosario Central 3-2 and winning on penalties back in 2000 after dropping the opening leg by that same score.
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Team News
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Giorgian De Arrascaeta and Gabriel Barbosa each tallied in the opening leg of this tie for Flamengo, Santos stopped five shots to collect a clean sheet, while Rodinei and Joao Gomes both had assists.
Barbosa notched another goal in their 2-0 domestic triumph over Sao Paulo this weekend, with Lazaro putting home the winner after only seven minutes, while Pedro is tied with Rony, Rafael Navarro and Lucas Janson in goals in this competition with seven.
Bruno Henrique and Rodrigo Caio remain sidelined with knee injuries, while Diego Alves has a groin strain and is not expected to return for at least another week.
A 77th-minute tally from Fabian Balbuena helped Corinthians salvage a point against Avai this weekend, as Renato Augusto picked up an assist on that goal.
Maycon has two goals for them in the Libertadores, Cassio has posted five clean sheets, while Fagner, Giuliano and Raul Gustavo each have one assist.
Timao still have several injuries to contend with as Ruan (ACL), Luan (hip) and Maycon (broken toe), could be out with knocks.
Willian and Raul Gustavo have thigh injuries and Carlos Miguel will not be available after testing positive for COVID-19.
Flamengo possible starting lineup:
Santos; Luis, Pereira, Luiz, Rodinei; Maia; Hugo, Ribeiro; De Arrascaeta; Pedro, Barbosa
Corinthians possible starting lineup:
Cassio; Fagner, Mendez, Balbuena, Piton; Queiroz, Roni, Giuliano; Adson, Guedes, Silva
We say: Flamengo 3-0 Corinthians
When Flamengo are ahead, they look nearly unbeatable, whereas Corinthians struggle mightily when trailing, and when you combine that with how well Mengao have been at home and how poor Corinthians are on the road, it is hard to envision Timao advancing into the next stage of this tournament.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joel Lefevre
