Matchday 13 of the 2024 Brasileiro season sees Flamengo and Cruzeiro face off against each other at Estadio Maracana on Sunday.
The hosts head into this weekend's clash off the back of a rare defeat last time out, while their visitors returned to winning ways in their most recent involvement.
Match preview
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Flamengo were beaten for the first time since early May courtesy of a 2-1 defeat against Juventude at Estadio Alfredo Jaconi on Thursday.
Tite's men got their noses in front through Pedro but were pegged back by Lucas Barbosa after which Mandaca completed the turnaround three minutes from time.
As a result, Flamengo have now seen their three-point advantage at the top of the Brasileiro table over Bahia cut to just goal difference.
Next up is the challenge of an opposing outfit who are without a victory in the last seven editions of this fixture across all competitions, losing six of them.
Currently on a run of six straight wins on home turf, Sunday's hosts have been in scintillating form in front of their fans of late and will be keen to keep the juggernaut rolling.
Cruzeiro made it two wins from three outings by claiming a 2-0 triumph over Atletico Paranaense in Wednesday's meeting at the Mineirao.
Fernando Seabra's men went into the break narrowly ahead courtesy of Gabriel Veron's opener after which Vitinho sealed the deal in second-half stoppage time.
With 20 points picked up from 11 matches this term, La Bestia Negra sit fifth in the standings, three points shy of the last guaranteed Copa Libertadores spot.
Having scored just once across their last three matches on the road, Sunday's visitors cannot afford another toothless performance away from home if they are to come out on top here.
Team News
Igor Jesus has missed each of Flamengo's last four matches and is also expected to sit out this weekend's contest as well.
Forward Pedro has found the back of the net eight times in his last 10 matches, making him one to keep an eye on for the home side.
Argentine Juan Dinenno has been sidelined for Cruzeiro since late March and remains a considerable way off making his return to action.
The away side will also be without the services of 32-year-old Rafa Silva, who is yet to fully recuperate from a muscle injury he picked up earlier this month.
Flamengo possible starting lineup:
Rossi; Lucas, Pereira, Bruno, Wesley; Hugo, Lorran, Araujo, Gerson, Ortiz; Pedro
Cruzeiro possible starting lineup:
Anderson; Furtado, Marcelo, Ivaldo, Kaiki; Romero, Silva, Ramiro; Gomes, Pereira, Veron
We say: Flamengo 3-1 Cruzeiro
Flamengo's home record of late makes them huge favourites heading into this one, and we can see them cruising to a routine victory at the end of the 90 minutes.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Adepoju Marvellous
