Two Brasileiro Serie A sides struggling for form will lock horns at the Maracana Stadium on Saturday, as Flamengo play host to America Mineiro.
The two teams are currently level on points in the bottom half of the table, with the hosts in 14th sitting just two places above the visitors in 16th.
Match preview
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After losing 2-0 away at reigning champions Atletico Mineiro last weekend, Flamengo were unable to get their revenge in the first leg of their last-16 tie in the Copa do Brasil as they were beaten 2-1 by the same opponent on Thursday.
Strikes either side of half time from Hulk and Ademir put the hosts two goals in front, and although Lazaro pulled one back for Flamengo in the 80th-minute, Atletico held on for victory and will take a slender advantage into the second leg next month.
A manager bounce is yet to occur under new boss Dorival Junior, who has lost three of his first four matches since taking the reins for a third spell at the club on June 10.
Flamengo now turn their attention back to the Brasileiro Serie A, where they currently sit 14th in the table with 15 points, eight points and eight places worse off than at this stage last season.
The Scarlet-Black will be confident of returning to winning ways on Saturday, though, as they are unbeaten in each of their last 11 meetings with America Mineiro, with eight victories and three draws.
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For the fourth successive game, America Mineiro were unable to find the net as they were condemned to a narrow 1-0 loss away at basement club Fortaleza last weekend.
A close-range header from Yago Pikachu on the stroke of half time was enough for the hosts to claim maximum points, while the visitors suffered their sixth league defeat of the campaign.
Vagner Mancini's men have now failed to win any of their last six away matches, and their most recent loss has seen them slip down to 16th in the top-flight standings, just one point and one place above the relegation zone.
America have won only one of their last 10 matches across all competitions, and they may struggle to turn their fortunes around on Saturday as they have lost each of their last six visits to Flamengo by an aggregate score of 10-2.
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Team News
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Flamengo quartet Bruno Henrique (knee), David Luiz (thigh), Fabricio Bruno (foot) and Matheus Franca (broken leg) all remain sidelined with injuries.
A back four of Matheuzinho, Rodrigo Caio, Pablo and Felipe Luis is set to remain intact, shielding goalkeeper Diego Alves who has recently displaced Hugo Souza between the sticks.
Centre-midfielder Thiago Maia and winger Lazaro will both be looking to force their way into the starting lineup and could replace William Arao and Giorgian De Arrascaeta respectively.
As for America Mineiro, defender Iago Maidana – who is currently the club's top scorer this term with three strikes to his name – remains sidelined with a broken foot, while goalkeeper Matheus Cavichioli and forward Orlando Berrio are ruled out with respective thigh and foot injuries.
The visitors are, however, able to welcome back midfielder Ale from suspension and he could return to the first XI on Saturday, with Danilo Avelar the most likely to drop out as a result.
Felipe Azevedo could switch from a centre-midfield role to the left flank, with Everaldo set to operate on the opposite wing, while Luo Guofu is expected to lead the line and will be hoping to end his five-game goal drought.
Flamengo possible starting lineup:
Alves; Matheuzinho, Pablo, Caio, Luis; Gomes, Maia, Pereira; Ribeiro, Barbosa, Lazaro
America Mineiro possible starting lineup:
Jailson; Caceres, Conti, Eder, Marlon; Kal; Everaldo, Juninho, Ale, Azevedo; Guofu
We say: Flamengo 3-1 America Mineiro
America Mineiro have struggled in front of goal over the past few weeks, but they may have more joy in the final third on Saturday against an out-of-sorts Flamengo outfit.
Nevertheless, the hosts have fared better on home soil, winning five of their last six games at the Maracana, and we expect them to come away with all three points.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Oliver Thomas
