Flamengo vs Vitoria - prediction, team news, lineups

Flamengo volition beryllium aiming to adjacent the spread connected the Serie A leaders erstwhile they invited Vitoria to the Maracana connected Sunday for matchday 22, with the second-placed hosts presently sitting connected 37 points and keen to marque location vantage count.

Vitoria caput into the contention successful 13th spot with 26 points, 4 wide of the relegation zone, and volition beryllium buoyed by their progression to the Copa bash Brasil quarter-finals arsenic they look to ascent further up the table.

Match preview

Flamengo get astatine the Maracana arsenic runners-up successful the Brazilian Serie A, having collected 39 points from 21 rounds. In the erstwhile matchday, the broadside drew 1-1 with Internacional astatine the Beira-Rio, a effect that extended the spread to leaders Palmeiras to 8 points.

Having been eliminated from the Copa bash Brasil by their opponents this Sunday, Flamengo had the full week to enactment astatine the Ninho bash Urubu. Head manager Leonardo Jardim utilized that play to marque adjustments to the squad and hole his squad to retrieve crushed successful the Serie A. He is expected to sanction what helium considers his strongest line-up.

Arrascaeta remains the superior originative unit successful Flamengo's attack. The Uruguayan has already registered 4 assists successful the Serie A and is liable for set-piece transportation — 1 of the team's main weapons for generating goalscoring opportunities.

With the spread to the apical continuing to widen, a packed Maracana is expected to get down Flamengo. Supporters are looking for a effect from the team, arsenic a further driblet of points would marque the rubric contention considerably much difficult.

Vitoria get having sealed their Copa bash Brasil quarter-final spot successful melodramatic fashion. After losing the archetypal limb 2-0, the nine from Salvador thrashed Athletico-PR 4-0 astatine the Barradao, overturning the aggregate scoreline to advance. It was the 2nd clip this play they had managed a comeback successful the competition.

In the Brazilian Serie A, however, the representation inactive demands attention. In the erstwhile round, Vitoria were beaten 4-0 by Palmeiras successful a lucifer marred by 2 reddish cards for the Bahia side. The decision leaves them connected 26 points successful 13th place, 4 supra the archetypal squad successful the relegation zone.

To unafraid their Copa bash Brasil passage, Jair Ventura deployed a three-centre-back strategy with much attack-minded wing-backs. The attack yielded results, and Vitoria were capable to crook the necktie astir and assertion their quarter-final berth.

Erick was 1 of the standout performers successful that victory, portion Rene remains the club's apical scorer successful the contention with 5 goals. The question present is whether Jair Ventura volition support that tactical operation against Flamengo aft specified an aggravated tally of fixtures.

Flamengo Brasileiro form:

Flamengo signifier (all competitions):

Vitoria Brasileiro form:

Vitoria signifier (all competitions):

Team News

Leonardo Jardim is without guardant Luiz Araujo, who remains successful the attraction country with a genu injury. Nicolas de la Cruz is besides unavailable, suspended aft collecting his 3rd yellowish paper against Internacional.

Gonzalo Plata, Lucas Paqueta and Leo Pereira are each doubts for the fixture, inactive recovering from knee, tendon and genu injuries respectively.

Flamengo caput into the lucifer with six players connected a yellowish paper warning. Vitao, Bruno Henrique, Lucas Paqueta, Samuel Lino, Everton Cebolinha and Erick Pulgar each person 2 bookings to their sanction and would beryllium suspended for the pursuing circular if cautioned again.

Vitoria get with 8 absentees. Ruben Ismael, Edu Ribeiro, Dudu, Riccieli, Camutanga and Nathan Mendes are each successful the attraction room, portion Luan Candido and Caca service automatic suspensions aft being sent disconnected against Palmeiras.

Flamengo imaginable starting lineup:

Rossi; Varela, Leo Ortiz, Vitao, Alexsandro; Erick Pulgar, Jorginho; Carrascal, Arrascaeta, Samuel Lino; Pedro. Manager: Leonardo Jardim.

Vitoria imaginable starting lineup:

Lucas Arcanjo; Fabiano, Edenilson, Britez, Ramon; Gabriel Baralhas, Caique; Emmanuel Martinez, Erick,  Matheuzinho; Rene. Manager: Jair Ventura.

We say: Flamengo 3-1 Vitoria

Flamengo volition beryllium determined to adjacent the spread connected the Serie A leaders, and location vantage astatine the Maracana could beryllium crucial, with their superior squad and potent onslaught giving them the edge.

Vitoria caput into the contention successful bully spirits aft reaching the Copa bash Brasil quarter-finals, but their inconsistent league form, peculiarly distant from home, makes Flamengo the stronger bet, and we expect the hosts to unafraid a convincing victory.

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