High-flying Flamengo will be looking to open up a six-point lead at the top of the Brasileiro Serie A table when they play host to Cuiaba on Saturday night.
Having failed to taste victory in any of their previous three visits to the Estadio do Maracana, the Dourado will be looking to end this poor run and snap their four-match winless run this weekend.
Match preview
© Reuters
Flamengo turned in another ruthless display in front of goal as they comfortably dispatched 10-man Atletico Mineiro when the sides squared off at Arena MRV on Wednesday night.
In a game where Romulo received his marching orders, goals from Carlinhos, Ayrton Lucas and a brace from Bruno Henrique saw the hosts secure all three points, with Hulk scoring twice to halve the deficit for Atletico Mineiro.
Tite's men have now gone unbeaten in 11 of their last 12 matches across all competitions — claiming 10 wins and one draw — a run which has seen them book their spot in round four of the Copa do Brasil and reach the knockout stages of the Copa Libertadores.
The Rubro Negro have picked nine wins and three draws in their 14 Serie A matches so far to collect 30 points and sit top of the league table, three points above second-placed Botafogo.
Flamengo now return home where they are currently on a run of seven back-to-back victories, scoring 16 goals and keeping three clean sheets since a 2-0 loss against Botafogo on April 28.
© Reuters
Cuiaba, on the other hand, failed to find their feet on Wednesday as they suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Botafogo when the sides squared off at Arena Pantanal.
Teenage midfielder Kaue opened the scoring inside the opening eight minutes to put Botafogo in front, and after Isidro Pitta levelled the scores with a 45th-minute penalty, Mateo Ponte struck in the 75th minute to hand the Lone Stars all three points.
Cuiaba have now failed to win any of their last four matches, claiming just three points from a possible 12, having picked up three wins in their previous four games preceding this run.
With 13 points from 14 matches, Petit's men are currently 15th in the league standings, just two points above the bottom four, but could move level with 12th-placed Criciuma with all three points this weekend.
However, next up for Cuiaba is the stern challenge of taking on a Flamengo side who are unbeaten in five of their previous six encounters, picking up four wins and one draw since July 2021.
Team News
© Reuters
Flamengo remain without the quartet of Nicolas De La Cruz, Matias Vina, Giorgian de Arrascaeta and Guillermo Varela, who are currently at the ongoing Copa America with the Uruguay national team.
On the injury front, Tite will be unable to name 21-year-old midfielder Igor Jesus, who is set to sit out his seventh consecutive game since coming off with an ankle injury against Gremio on June 14.
He is joined on the Rubro-Negro's injury table by experienced midfielder Everton, who has been out of action since sustaining a hip injury in the 2-1 victory over Bahia on June 21.
Meanwhile, Brazilian midfielder Max Alves is currently recuperating from a calf injury and the 23-year-old is out of contention for Cuiaba.
Veteran forward Deyverson continues his lengthy spell on the sidelines since picking up an injury back in April and the 33-year-old is also out of contention for Saturday's game.
Flamengo possible starting lineup:
Rossi; Wesley, Bruno, Luiz, Lucas; Ortiz, Allan, Gerso; Araujo, Carlinhos, Henrique
Cuiaba possible starting lineup:
Walter; Alves, Marllon, Empereur; Alexandre, Augusto, Denilson, Ramon; Cafu, Pitta, Clayson
We say: Flamengo 2-0 Cuiaba
While Cuiaba will be looking to find their feet this weekend, they take on a Flamengo side who are currently firing on all cylinders. Tite's side have made their home turf a fortress and we see them cruising to another win at the Maracana.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
