Fluminense vs Flamengo Predictions

• Fluminense have won their last six home games without conceding.
• Fluminense have avoided defeat in 13 of their 16 home league games.
• Flamengo will be without their two top scorers.

Fluminense can dent Flamengo’s title charge

Flamengo lead the way in Brazil’s Serie A as they hold a three-point lead over Palmeiras with five rounds of fixtures remaining, but they face a tough assignment against in-form Fluminense on Wednesday night as the designated away team at their shared Maracana home.

Flamengo won 1-0 in the reverse fixture when these sides last met but Fluminense may be able to settle the score on Wednesday.

The Tricolor are also in need of the points as they push for Copa Libertadores qualification and they have been exceptional at home of late, winning each of their last six games without conceding.

If Flamengo were at full strength they would be fancied to win but the visitors are without their two top scorers in Giorgian de Arrascaeta and Pedro for this game, with De Arrascaeta in the Uruguay squad and Pedro injured. Between then, the duo have scored almost half of Flamengo’s goals and they may struggle to break down this resolute Fluminense backline in their absence.

It is tempting to go for an outright home win but the more prudent option of backing Fluminense in the double chance market offers enough value. Flamengo have only lost four games all season and a draw isn’t necessarily a bad result for either side, so they may cancel each other out, but as Fluminense have only lost three of their 16 home games and are facing a weakened Rubro-Negro outfit they can at the very least avoid defeat.

A 1-0 home win is the preferred option in the correct score market, however, as Fuminense’s last wins at the Maracana have all come via that scoreline. Flamengo have only conceded 21 goals in 33 games so Fluminense side may need to keep a clean sheet if they are to grind out a victory.