Flamengo will be looking to open up a four-point lead at the top of the Brasileiro Serie A table when they take on Juventude at the Estadio Alfredo Jaconi on Wednesday.
Boasting one of the best home records in the league this season, the Verdao will head into the midweek tie with plenty of optimism as they set out to end a three-match winless run against the visitors.
Match preview
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Juventude continue to struggle for results away from home as they were on the receiving end of a 3-1 defeat against high-flying Palmeiras when the sides met at the Allianz Parque on Sunday.
Following a relatively uneventful first half, Erick Farias struck in the 64th minute to cancel out Jose Lopez's 49th-minute opener, but goals from Estevao and Mayke saw the hosts make it five wins on the bounce in June.
Roger Machado's men have now failed to win any of the five Serie A matches on their travels this season, losing three and picking up two draws while conceding 12 goals and scoring five so far.
With 13 points from 10 Serie A matches, Juventude currently sit in 12th in the league standings but could move into ninth place with all three points on Wednesday.
The Verdao will be backing themselves to come away with the desired results as they return home, where they are unbeaten in each of their last eight matches across all competitions, claiming four wins and four draws since March's 2-1 loss against Internacional.
However, Juventude will need to be at their best as they take on an opposing side whom they have failed to get the better of in each of their last three meetings, losing twice and claiming one draw since a 1-0 victory in June 2021.
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Flamengo, on the other hand, maintained their lead at the top of the league standings as they dug deep to see out a narrow 1-0 victory over 10-man Fluminense at the Maracana Stadium on Sunday.
Brazilian striker Pedro came up clutch for the visitors as converted his 86th-minute penalty to inspire them to a deserved victory and leave Fluminense rooted to the bottom of the standings.
Flamengo have now gone nine consecutive games without defeat across all competitions, picking up eight wins and one draw since a 1-0 defeat at the hand of Palestino in the Copa Libertadores on May 8.
This fine run of results has seen Tite's side book their spot in the Copa Libertadores knockout stages courtesy of a second-placed finish in Group E while they have reached the fourth round of the Copa do Brasil.
Flamengo have picked up seven wins and three draws in their 11 Serie A matches so far to collect 24 points and sit top of the table, one point above second-placed Palmeiras.
The Rubro-Negro's impressive start to the campaign has been owing to the solid job done at the attacking end of the pitch, where they currently boast the division's best record, having scored 19 goals so far.
Team News
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Juventude remain without the services of goalkeeper Renan Dos Santos and 27-year-old forward Edson Carioca, who have been ruled out due to muscle and thigh injuries respectively.
Twenty-one-year-old Marcelinho missed the game against Palmeiras through a thigh injury and is also a doubt for the hosts, while Kleiton has been sidelined since May.
Flamengo will take to the pitch without the services of experienced defender Erick Pulgar, who is currently on international duty with Chile at the ongoing Copa America.
The Rubro-Negro will also have to cope without the Uruguayan quartet of Nicolas De La Cruz, Matias Vina, Giorgian de Arrascaeta and Guillermo Varela are also at the Copa America.
On the injury front, Tite will be unable to name the duo of Everton and 21-year-old midfielder Igor Jesus, who are currently recuperating from hip and ankle injuries respectively.
David Luiz was forced off with a knee problem midway through the game against Fluminense at the weekend and the former Brazil international is a major doubt for Wednesday.
Juventude possible starting lineup:
Gabriel; Lucas, Boza, Ze Marcos, Ruschel; Caique, Jadson; Ewerton, Nene, Farias; Gilberto
Flamengo possible starting lineup:
Rossi; Wesley, Bruno, Pereira, Lucas; Ortiz, Gerson, Lorran; Araujo, Pedro, Henrique
We say: Juventude 1-3 Flamengo
While Juventude have been rock-solid at home in the league, they face the stern challenge of taking on a Flamengo side who are currently firing on all cylinders. We predict that the Rubro-Negro will pick up where they left off against Fluminense and come away with all three points at the Estadio Alfredo Jaconi.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
