Brasileiro leaders Flamengo will be bidding to make it seven straight victories in all competitions when they continue their league campaign away to Athletico Paranaense on Sunday night.
The visitors have collected 17 points from their eight Serie A fixtures this season to sit at the summit, one point ahead of fourth-placed Athletico Paranaense, with the two teams now preparing to lock horns.
Match preview
Athletico Paranaense will enter this match off the back of a run of three defeats from their last four matches in all competitions, but two of those losses came in the CONMEBOL Sudamericana.
In the league, Cuca's side have won three of their last four, including a 3-1 success over Criciuma last time out, with the result moving them onto 16 points from eight matches courtesy of a record of five wins, one draw and two defeats.
The Red and Blacks have the best defensive record in the top five, having only conceded five times, and they are only one point off the leaders Flamengo ahead of this weekend's match-up.
Athletico Paranaense finished eighth in Serie A last season, but they did famously win Brazil's top flight back in 2001, which is their only success at this level.
Cuca's team actually have the best home record in the Brasileiro so far this season, picking up 12 points from four matches, scoring nine times and conceding only once.
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Flamengo, though, have the second-best away record in the Brasileiro this term, picking up eight points from their four matches courtesy of a record of two wins and two draws.
Tite's side are in excellent form, triumphing in each of their last six matches in all competitions, including a 2-1 success over Gremio in their last league match.
Flamengo are top of the table, but they are level on 17 points with second-placed Bahia, while there are only three points separating them from sixth-placed Palmeiras at this early stage of the campaign.
Seven-time Brasileiro champions, the team last triumphed at this level in 2020, but they were fourth last season, only four points behind the champions Palmeiras.
Flamengo have struggled in their recent meetings with Athletico Paranaense, losing three of the last four league match-ups between the two sides, including a 3-0 reverse in their last contest in September 2023.
Team News
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Athletico Paranaense will be without the services of goalkeeper Bento, as the 25-year-old is currently with the Brazil squad preparing for the 2024 Copa America.
Meanwhile, Agustin Canobbio, Renan Viana and Petterson all have club suspensions.
Gonzalo Mastriani has scored four times in the league during a strong start to the season, the 31-year-old will once again operate in the final third of the field for the home side here.
As for Flamengo, Allan and Ayrton are both on the sidelines due to thigh injuries, while the league leaders have a further five players unavailable for selection due to international commitments.
Indeed, Erick Pulgar, Nicolas De La Cruz, Matias Vina, Guillermo Varela and Giorgian De Arrascaeta are with their countries preparing for the 2024 Copa America.
Everton had to be replaced in the 25th minute of the clash with Gremio on Thursday night, meanwhile, and if he is unable to prove his fitness, Bruno Henrique will come into the side.
Igor Jesus was another player to be substituted in the first half against Gremio, which could lead to Luiz Araujo, who netted twice off the bench, being handed a spot in the XI.
Athletico Paranaense possible starting lineup:
Linck; Godoy, Rocha, Heleno, Esquivel; Fernandinho, Erick; Nikao, Zapelli, Christian; Mastriani
Flamengo possible starting lineup:
Rossi; Wesley, Bruno, Luiz, Pereira; Ortiz, Araujo; Gerson, Lorran, Henrique; Pedro
We say: Athletico Paranaense 1-1 Flamengo
Flamengo's recent form has been excellent, but Athletico Paranaense have also made a strong start to the campaign, and their home form cannot be ignored. It would not be a surprise to see a win either way here, but we believe that a tight match will end with the points being shared.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Matt Law
