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After the international break, Flamengo and Bragantino will play again in the Brasileiro league on Thursday at the Maracana.
There will be another revenge match at this location, only two days after Brazil hosted Argentina, and both teams are hoping to mount a late title challenge.
As Botafogo’s decline continues, the Brasileiro title battle is very much back on, and these two teams are part of the chasing pack that is currently pursuing Palmeiras at the top.
There are only five points separating the top six, but with four match days left, both teams will most likely need to win to be in the running.
Both teams have this game to play before the league as a whole resumes play this coming weekend, when a lot of things should alter once more.
Although both teams’ spots in the Copa Libertadores are virtually certain for the upcoming season, Botafogo’s unexpected slump in performance—they have only managed nine points in their previous 12 games—means they could have a chance to finish first.
Flamengo is five points behind Palmeiras going into the weekend, but they have played well despite a demanding schedule that has seen them play seven games in less than three weeks.
Prior to the much-needed international break, Tite’s team had two outstanding performances: they defeated the league leaders 3-0 here and held the Libertadores champions Fluminense to a 1-1 draw.
With four games remaining against teams in the top half and one against America-MG, who have already been relegated, the hosts have a tough final stretch.
With two points more than their next opponents, Bragantino is in a somewhat stronger position. A victory today on the road would bring them level on points with Palmeiras.
In their most recent match, Thiago Borbas‘ last-minute equaliser against Botafogo saved a point. It was the ideal answer to losing a point under similar circumstances a few days prior, when Erison’s 93rd-minute penalty doomed them to a loss against Sao Paulo.
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Given that Pedro Caixinha’s team emerged from nowhere to challenge for the title under the notorious Red Bull banner, they would undoubtedly not be among the most well-liked title winners.
But just as clubs in Salzburg and Leizpig in Europe, Bragantino are now real competitors and have a chance to win the Brazilian top division for the first time ever this year.
Although they spent a lot of time in the lower leagues and finished second in 1991 when playing as Clube Atletico Bragantino, things have changed significantly for the 2021 Copa Sudamericana runners-up.
Flamengo Brasileiro form:
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Bragantino Brasileiro form:
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After late altercations between the two sets of players in Flamengo’s tie with Fluminense, Gabriel Barbosa was sent off in stoppage time, and he will miss this match due to suspension.
Both David Luiz and Allan, who haven’t played for the home team in more than a month, will be sidelined by injuries.
Giorgian De Arrascaeta, a midfielder from Uruguay, was strangely inactive for his country despite scoring in his last two club games and should be well-rested for this match.
Bragantino will be without three players due to individual knee injuries. The injured players are Eduardo Santos, Lucas Cunha, and Nathan Camargo.
With 19 league goals between them this season, Borbas and attacking partner Eduardo Sasha will probably need to score if they are to win on this difficult road trip.
Luan Patrick and Eric Ramires are also not there because they are sidelined for the visitors due to thigh issues.
Flamengo possible starting lineup:
Rossi; Matheuzinho, Fabricio Bruno, Leo Pereira, Filipe Luis; Pulgar, Gerson, De Arrascaeta; Luiz Araujo, Pedro, Everton Soares
Bragantino possible starting lineup:
Cleiton; Hurtado, Realpe, Leo Ortiz, Juninho Capixaba; Jadsom, Lucas Evangelista, Matheus Fernandes; Borbas, Eduardo Sasha, Mosquera
