Two sides at opposite ends of the Brasileiro table will face off on Sunday when Fluminense host Flamengo at the shared Maracana Stadium in Brazil's biggest club football rivalry.
The home team head into the Fla-Flu derby languishing at the bottom of the league, while the visitors are top of the table.
Match preview
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Fluminense's early-season woes continued with a 2-0 defeat to Cruzeiro on Thursday. This makes it six losses in 10 league matches and extends their winless run in the Brasileiro to seven games.
Fernando Diniz's men have only picked up six points from a possible 30, putting them in the relegation zone for the first time in almost 15 years.The last time the Laranjeiras club found themselves in this position was way back in 2009, a season they only just managed to escape relegation from.
A frail defence has been the Tricolor's biggest undoing, conceding 18 goals - the second-worst record in the league, only bettered by Vasco da Gama (21).
Another tough home test awaits Fluminense as they try to stop their biggest rivals, in-form Flamengo, on Sunday. The hosts lost their first league game on home soil this season against Atletico Goianiense and are at risk of losing consecutive home matches for the first time as well.
Fluminense have already met their Sunday opponents three times in 2024 and have failed to win any of these encounters, losing twice alongside a draw. The Tricolores have recently struggled in this fixture, having failed to secure a win in the last seven meetings across all competitions.
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Flamengo returned to the top of the table with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Bahia on Friday. It was a difficult game that saw the Rubro-Negro only manage 34% possession, but they still managed to strike the first blow through Gerson in the 23rd minute.
However, they went into the break level after Everaldo Stum restored parity for Bahia in the 35th minute. With the game looking destined for a draw, former Arsenal and Chelsea defender, David Luiz, stepped up to score the winner in the 94th minute.
Tite's men have now accumulated 21 points after 10 league matches, leaving them one point ahead of second-placed Botafogo. The seven-time Brasileiro champions are unbeaten in their last eight matches across all competitions, while they are on a six-match unbeaten run in the league.
Flamengo are yet to lose on the road in the league this season, picking up two wins and three draws in five matches. Extending this run and their three-match unbeaten streak as the away side in this fixture will feel within reach for the visitors, who are clearly a level above their Sunday opponents based on this season's form.
Team News
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Fluminense will remain without Colombian midfielder Jhon Arias, who is away on international duty at the Copa America.
Andre Trindade is the only confirmed absentee on the injury front, as the midfielder is ruled out with a knee issue until next month.
Isaac, Marcelo and Samuel Xavier are doubtful for this fixture, while Felipe Melo, Guga, Ganso and Martinelli are all expected to return after missing the last match through suspension.
Flamengo are going to be without up to five players who are away on international duty with their countries.
Erick Pulgar, Nicolas De La Cruz, Matias Vina, Guillermo Varela and Giorgian de Arrascaeta are all away at the Copa America for the next couple of weeks.
Igor Jesus and Carlinhos are both sidelined with injuries, the former with an ankle issue and the latter with a muscle problem.
Fluminense possible starting lineup:
Fabio; Xavier, Marlon, Melo, Marcelo; Ganso, Lima, Martinelli; Costa, Cano, Kennedy
Flamengo possible starting lineup:
Rossi; Wesley, Pereira, Luiz, Lucas; Gerson, Ortiz, Lorran; Araujo, Everton, Pedro
We say: Fluminense 1-2 Flamengo
Fluminense have struggled all season and looked out of depth. In a game against the league leaders and sworn rivals, we expect the hosts to struggle once again and ultimately lose this match.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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