Flamengo will be looking to book their spot in the knockout stages of the Copa Libertadores when they host Ecuadorian side Aucas at Estadio Jornalista Mario Filho on Wednesday night.
The hosts have been in decent form domestically since their last match in this competition against Racing Club of Argentina, while Aucas ended a winless run last time out.
Match preview
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Flamengo came out on top in a five-goal thriller with Santos in Brazil's Serie A on the weekend, with Everton, Everton Ribeiro and Erick Pulgar on target for the visitors, with all three strikes being assisted by midfielder Gerson.
Jorge Sampaoli's men provided a much-need response in Sao Paulo after being thrashed 4-0 by Red Bull Bragantino on Friday, a result which represents their heaviest loss so far this term.
Sitting third in Brazil's top flight, Flamengo now turn their attention to Copa Libertadores action for a few days at least, with the side still having work to do in order to guarantee their spot in the knockout stages.
Sampaoli's charges are second in Group A with one game left to play, three points ahead of Chilean outfit Atletico Nublense, meaning they need just the single point on Wednesday night to secure a top-two standing.
Last year's winners will be looking to regain a major trophy for the first time since their spell of dominance in the Brazil top flight during the early 1980s, and it is fair to say that Flamengo are once again one of the favourites for the title.
Aucas ended a six-game winless run in all competitions on Saturday with a convincing 2-0 success over Orense in Ecuador's Serie A, with Jhon Cifuente and Erick Castillo bagging goals either side of the half-time interval.
After finishing their 2022 league campaign with a remarkable 15-game unbeaten streak, Aucas booked their place in the Libertadores with a first-placed finish in Ecuador's top flight, but they have struggled to keep up such good form on a bigger stage.
Cesar Farias has only been able to guide his men to a single win during five matches of their group-stage campaign to date, meaning they sit bottom of the section and are now only able to catch third-placed Atletico Nublense.
Copa Sudamericana football awaits the Idol of Quito if they are able to better Nublense's result on Wednesday evening, although that seems unlikely, with Aucas failing to win any of their last six away matches in all competitions.
Team News
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Flamengo will be without the presence of Matheus Franca in their attack on Wednesday night as the 19-year-old continues to recover from a groin injury, with the Brazilian last featuring in the victory over Racing Club on June 9.
Right-back Matheuzinho is still in the process of rehabilitation after breaking his leg in March - it is hoped that the defender can return to the first-team fold next month.
Aucas will be unable to call on the experience of Edison Caicedo in Brazil after the 33-year-old picked up a red card during the goalless draw against Nublense last time out in the Libertadores.
Aubrey David is likely to be partnered by Michael Carcelen in Caicedo's absence, with Franklin Carabali and Carlos Cuero operating in the full-back positions.
Flamengo possible starting lineup:
Cunha; Wesley, Bruno, Pereira, Lucas; Pulgar, Gerson, Hugo, Ribeiro; Everton, Barbosa
Aucas possible starting lineup:
Galindez; Carabali, David, Carcelen, Cuero; Vega, Quintero, Cano, Castillo, Otero; Cifuente
We say: Flamengo 2-0 Aucas
Flamengo showed considerable grit and determination to come out on top of a five-goal thriller on the weekend, meaning they should be confident of easing past their Ecuadorian opponents on Wednesday night.
Aucas will have an incentive to be aggressive considering a result could earn them a place in the Sudamericana, but we can envisage a fourth and final loss of the group stage for Farias's charges.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Carter White
