Vasco da Gama vs Flamengo Predictions

Saturday’s Brazilian Serie A derby action sees Vasco da Gama doing battle with local rivals Flamengo at the Estádio Mané Garrincha in Brasilia. A close game is expected to be in order as the two sides fight for the bragging rights on offer.

Vasco have somewhat complicated matters for themselves in this match, effectively selling their home advantage for commercial gain after receiving a significant offer to relocate the match to the Brazilian capital. Instead of having their ferocious home crowd behind them, Vasco will now only have a portion of the attendance and that does have them playing at a substantial disadvantage.

Nonetheless, in great shape, Almirante will be confident coming into the game and their prospects of picking up a good result still look strong. Vanderlei Luxemburgo has done a great job since inheriting a struggling side earlier on in the campaign and after a 1-0 win at Goias last time out, the team are now 7 matches unbeaten and up to 15th place in the table; a comfortable 6 points clear of relegation.

Meanwhile, Flamengo eased the pressure that was building on them with a 3-1 win over Gremio last weekend but know it’ll be right back on them if they fail to pick up a positive result in this game. Having constructed their star studded squad at huge financial cost, sitting 3rd and 5 points doesn’t rank as good going for the side and they need to improve significantly in the coming months if they are to meet expectations.

Manager Jorge Jesus is yet to instill any kind of consistency in the team since arriving and you never quite know what you are going to get with Flamengo at the moment. Indeed, without a win in 4 matches away from the Maracana, Mengao aren’t the best of travellers and though this match will be held at a neutral venue, said statistics still has you questioning their heavy favourites tag.

Ultimately, we’re expecting this to be a far closer match than the prices on offer would suggest. Vasco are no longer the pushovers they were earlier on in the season and we believe they have the ability to give an inconsistent but undoubtedly talented Flamengo side a run for their money.

All things considered, it’s backing a draw that’s really captured our attention and is exactly where our money is going. Matches between Vasco and Flamengo tend to be very tight and close run affairs and with 6 of the last 8 meetings between the two having ended all square, a 1-1 draw could well be on the cards on Saturday.