Flamengo return to action in the Copa do Brasil when they go head to head with Amazonas in the second leg of their third-round clash on Wednesday.
Having suffered a 1-0 loss at the Maracana Stadium, the Serie B outfit will be looking to overturn their first-leg deficit and cause an upset at the Arena da Amazonia.
Match preview
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Amazonas continue to struggle for results in the new Serie B campaign as they were held to a goalless draw by Paysandu when the sides squared off at the Arena da Amazonia last Saturday.
In a game where Crystopher and Miranda received their marching orders, Matheus Serafim put the hosts in front with a 39th-minute strike but Esli Garcia netted right on the stroke of half time to force a share of the spoils.
Amazonas have now failed to win five of their opening six league matches — losing three and claiming two draws — with a stunning 1-0 victory over Santos on May 11 being the best exception
Adilson Batista's men now turn their attention to the Copa do Brasil, where they will be looking to overturn a one-goal deficit after suffering a 1-0 loss against Flamengo in round three on May 2.
Former Fiorentina man Pedro put the Onca-Pintada to the sword at the Maracana Stadium as he netted the only goal of the game to hand the home side a vital first-leg victory.
Amazonas head into Wednesday's return leg on a run of just one win in their last nine matches across all competitions while losing six and claiming two draws since late March.
Flamengo, on the other hand, picked up three huge points in what has been a somewhat disappointing Copa Libertadores campaign as they hammered Bolivar 4-0 when the sides squared off last Thursday.
In a one-sided affair at the Maracana, Gerson, Ayrton Lucas, Everton and Pedro all found the back of the net to hand the Bolivian outfit their first defeat of the Copa Libertadores campaign.
With Thursday's victory, Tite's men have now moved into second place in Group E of the Copa Libertadores and will head into the group finale only above third-placed Palestino outside the knockout-stage qualifying places on goal difference.
Back home, Flamengo have enjoyed a solid start to the new Seria A campaign, picking up three wins and two draws from their opening six matches to collect 11 points and sit third in the table.
However, the Rubro-Negro journey to the Arena da Amazonia without a win in any of their last four away matches across all competitions, losing twice and claiming two draws since a 2-1 victory at Atletico Goianiense on April 14.
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Team News
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Amazonas remain without the services of 29-year-old winger Gustavo Ermel, who has been out of action since last September through a severe injury.
Guilherme Mantuan picked up an injury in March's 1-0 defeat against Maringa while former Cruzeiro striker Sassa has missed the last three games after coming off injured against Ponte Preta on May 7.
As for Flamengo, Tite will be unable to name experienced defender Erick Pulgar, who has missed each of the last five matches since coming off injured in April's game against Botafogo.
He is joined on the club's injury table by veteran striker Bruno Henrique, who is set to sit out his third game on the bounce after sustaining a muscle injury against Palestino on May 8.
Leo Pereira suffered a game-ending injury in the first half of Thursday's clash with Bolivar and the 28-year-defender is also out of contention for the Rubro-Negro.
In his absence, former Brazil international David Luiz should come into the fold, forming the back four with Guillermo Varela, Fabricio Bruno and Ayrton Lucas.
Amazonas possible starting lineup:
Miranda; Patric, Miranda, Silva, Fabiano; Enio, Wendell, Xavier, Serafim; Lopes, Tavares
Flamengo possible starting lineup:
Rossi; Varela, Bruno, Luiz, Luca; De la Cruz, Allan; Arrascaeta, Gerson, Pedro, Everton
We say: Amazonas 0-2 Flamengo
Buoyed by their resounding Copa Libertadores victory, Flamengo will head into Wednesday's game with sky-high confidence as they look to end their recent away struggles. Given the gulf in quality and experience between the two sides, we predict that Tite's men will come away with a comfortable victory in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
