Fluminense vs Figueirense Predictions & Betting Tips, Match Previews

Fluminense are on a pretty good run of form after a less than convincing start to the season. They’ve lost only 2 of their last 12 matches in all competitions, although one of those was last weekend when they were beaten 2-0 by leaders Palmeiras. They were in cup action on Wednesday night, drawing 1-1 with Corinthians but 10 points from their last 5 league games overall has moved them well clear of any danger and they will climb to 7th if they win this, given none of the other sides around them play this weekend.

This is a game they will be strongly targeting 3 points from against a Figueirense side that are in the relegation zone and without a coach after Argel Fucks was sacked almost 2 weeks ago. As they await to appoint their 3rd coach of the season, they’ve actually done pretty well on the pitch under interim boss Tuca Guimarães. They caused a huge shock last weekend to win their only league game since Fucks departed, by winning 1-0 at Santos. However, they did exit the Copa Sudamericana in midweek but only on away goals against Flamengo in a game when they had goalscorer Rafael Silva sent off after just 30 minutes.

Fluminense certainly can’t take this for granted and haven’t really been winning matches convincingly at any point this season so it is likely to be tight. 5 of their 8 league wins this term have been by 1-0 margins and, given both these teams rank in the bottom five in terms of ‘goals scored’ in the Brazilian top flight this season, we shouldn’t expect many goals in this one.

There have been under 2.5 goals in all of Figueirense’s last 3 away league games and 4 of Fluminense’s last 5 home games so backing Under 2.5 Goals at 4/6 looks a safe bet here.