Atletico Mineiro and Flamengo face off against each other at the MRV Arena on Wednesday in round 14 of the 2024 Brasileiro season.
The hosts had to make do with a share of the spoils in their most recent outing, while their visitors picked up a third win in four matches.
Match preview
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Flamengo just about got the better of Cruzeiro thanks to a 2-1 narrow triumph in Sunday's meeting at the Maracana Stadium.
After breaking the deadlock through Pedro, Tite's men were pegged back by Matheus Pereira seven minutes shy of the break before Fabricio Bruno struck the winner 20 minutes into the second period.
With 27 points amassed from 13 matches so far, the Scarlet-Blacks sit top of the standings, one point clear of nearest challengers Palmeiras.
Having recently seen their four-game unbeaten away streak come to an end, Wednesday's visitors will be looking to avoid consecutive defeats on enemy territory for the first time in a year.
Atletico Mineiro played out a 1-1 stalemate against Atletico Goianiense when the teams went head-to-head on Sunday afternoon.
Gabriel Milito's men went behind to Luis Fernando's early opener but wasted no time in getting themselves back on level terms through Paulinho.
As a result, O Galo have dropped down to 11th place in the Brasileiro table, five points adrift of a top-four place in the race for automatic Copa Libertadores qualification.
Coming up next is the challenge of an opposing outfit with little to choose between over the last eight matches, which have yielded four wins apiece.
Currently without a victory in their last four matches on home turf, Thursday's hosts now set out to get going in front of their fans.
Team News
Igor Jesus has missed each of Flamengo's last five matches, and the defender will also sit out Thursday's contest as well.
Everton is ruled out for the away side as he continues to nurse a muscle injury he picked up against Bahia a fortnight ago.
Pedro continued his hot streak in front of goal with yet another strike last time out and will be looking to come up trumps once again.
Since returning from suspension, Atletico Mineiro's Paulinho has scored in two of his three outings, making him one to keep an eye on.
Otavio and Rubens both miss out for the hosts through injury, but Daniel Penha could finally make his return to action here after spending the best part of the last three months sidelined.
Atletico Mineiro possible starting lineup:
Rossi; Lucas, Pereira, Bruno, Wesley; Hugo, Lorran, Araujo, Gerson, Ortiz; Pedro
Flamengo possible starting lineup:
Mendes; Mariano, Rabello, Romulo; Alzate, Vitor, Battaglia, Cadu; Paulinho, Gomes, Hulk
We say: Atletico Mineiro 1-1 Flamengo
Flamengo are the more in-form side heading into this one and will back themselves to come away with maximum points. However, we can see Atletico Mineiro battling hard to force a share of the spoils in the end.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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