CSA vs Flamengo Predictions

Thursday’s Brazilian Serie A action sees CSA doing battle with Flamengo at the Estádio Nacional Mané Garrincha. Flamengo are expected to win the match with no issues whatsoever.

After securing a shock promotion last season to seal their return to the top flight for the first time since 1986, it was always likely to be a struggle for CSA this year. On paper, they are one of the weakest sides in the division, if not the weakest, and their performances on the pitch have thus far gone as expected.

CSA are second bottom with just 6 points from 8 matches and are currently the league’s lowest scorers, having notched only 3 times. Confidence is very low in the camp after they threw away a lead to lose 2-1 to Botafogo at the weekend and having sold their rights to host this game for commercial reward, the side look severely up against it and are unlikely to really challenge Flamengo.

With the match now being held in Brasilia, Flamengo are effectively the home side and will have almost all of the crowd behind them. Mengao will be delighted to have been spared a trip to Maceio and it would now be a huge upset if they were to drop any points in the match.

New Flamengo boss Jorge Jesus will take over after the forthcoming Copa America break and those taking to the pitch in this game will have one last chance to impress him as he assess his squad from the stands. Currently 5th with 14 points from 8 matches, Flamengo have made an ok start to the season but the expectation is that they’ll really kick in the coming months and challenge for the title.

Ultimately, this match is about as much of a David vs Goliath type clash as you can find in a top division. Flamengo have resources CSA can only dream about and man for man, are by far a stronger outfit than them. CSA look almost certain to be relegated on the evidence we’ve seen so far and are an extremely limited team.

Backing Flamengo to win here looks the only way to play as far as the betting is concerned and we like the look of doing exactly that in combination with their victory being to nil. Flamengo have kept a clean sheet in their last 3 matches and with CSA in such poor attacking shape, a 2-0 Flamengo win could well be on the cards.