Seeking to avoid a fourth successive loss in the Brasileiro Serie A, Flamengo will welcome Cuiaba to the Maracana Stadium on Thursday.

The visitors, meanwhile, will be looking to extend their unbeaten run to three matches and climb out of the relegation zone.

Match preview

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Following the sacking of Paulo Sousa, a new era begins at Flamengo although a familiar face has stepped into the dugout as Dorival Junior has taken the reigns for his third spell in charge.

The 60-year-old, who left his post at Ceara to reunite with the Scarlet-Black, was unable to get off to a winning start as his new side suffered a 3-1 defeat away against Internacional on Sunday.

A brace from Wanderson put the hosts two goals to the good after 22 minutes before Manchester United loanee Andreas Pereira pulled one back in the 58th minute to provide hope for Flamengo. However, a 92nd-minute penalty from Pedro Henrique restored International's two-goal cushion and condemned the visitors to their fifth league defeat of the season.

The Rio de Janeiro-based outfit have now slipped to 15th in the Brasileiro Serie A table, hovering just above the relegation zone on goal difference, while they are also 10 points behind league leaders Palmeiras.

Flamengo, who have won four of their last five matches on home soil, were frustrated in their last home meeting against Cuiaba as they were forced to play out a goalless draw in October last year despite boasting 71% possession and recording 16 shots on goal.

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Cuiaba followed up their slender 1-0 win over Corinthians with a 1-1 draw at home against Bragantino on Saturday.

A penalty converted by Andre in the sixth minute of first-half stoppage time cancelled out a 17th-minute opener from Artur, with both sides eventually sharing the spoils.

Antonio Oliveira's side remain in the relegation zone, but four points claimed from their last two matches has seen them move level on points with both Flamengo and Botafogo who are positioned just outside the bottom four.

Cuiaba have struggled away from home in recent weeks, losing four of their last five matches on the road across all competitions, with their only win during this run a surprise 2-1 success against River Plate in the Copa Sudamericana last month.

The Dourado failed to win or score in their previous two meetings against Flamengo, so they will need to be on top of their game if they are to claim maximum points on Thursday.

Team News

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Flamengo boss Junior is unable to call upon Matheus Franca (broken leg), Aderbar Santos (thigh) and Fabricio Bruno (foot) due to injury.

Goalkeeper Hugo Souza was dropped last weekend, with 36-year-old Diego Alves starting in his place and the latter could retain his spot between the sticks on Wednesday.

Striker Gabriel Barbosa is expected to lead the line, although he will be hoping to find his form in front of goal having scored only once in his last nine games across all competitions.

As for Cuiaba, they currently have a clean bill of health so Oliveira will have a fully-fit squad to choose from on Wednesday.

Attacking midfielder Valdivia is available to return from suspension and he is expected to replace either Camilo or Rafael Gava in the starting lineup.

Alesson could replace Andre Luis on the right flank, while central striker Andre and left winger Felipe Marques are set to retain their places in attack.

Flamengo possible starting lineup:
Alves; Matheuzinho, Luiz, Caio, Luis; Maia, Arao, Pereira; Ribeiro, Barbosa, Henrique

Cuiaba possible starting lineup:
Walter; Lucas, Marllon, Paulao, Uendel; Gava, Pepe; Alesson, Valdivia, Marques; Andre

We say: Flamengo 2-1 Cuiaba

Cuiaba's recent results will have provided them with a boost heading into Thursday's encounter against a Flamengo outfit who are desperate to turn their fortunes around.

The hosts will be considered the favourites, however, and they should have enough quality in their side to secure all three points.

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