Fluminense play host to Sao Paulo on Wednesday night with both teams looking for an important victory at the back end of the Brasileiro season.
Just one point separate these two clubs in the standings, with the eighth and 10th-placed teams respectively having at least one game in hand on some of the sides above them.
Match preview
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On the back of winning the Copa Libertadores at the start of the month, the rest of the campaign may be somewhat of a blur for Fluminense with qualification for that competition having already been achieved for 2024.
However, Fernando Diniz will want to extend their recent resurgence as long as possible, as their current three-game undefeated streak is their longest since the end of August and early September.
With five points separating Fluminense and seventh-placed Athletico Paranaense, achieving that spot is in their sights, and they head into this encounter having most recently earned a 1-1 draw at Flamengo, who hold sixth position.
From Diniz's perspective, he faces an unprecedented couple of days as he will take charge of Brazil's World Cup qualifier against Argentina exactly 24 hours before this contest.
Fortunately for Diniz, both fixtures are taking place at the Maracana, enabling him to take to the dugout for the double-header.
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Like their hosts, Sao Paulo have already qualified for next season's Copa Libertadores, a consequence of winning the 2023 Copa do Brasil.
Nevertheless, there will be a desire to continue with their recent form, as Sao Paulo have put together a run of four matches without defeat in the top flight.
In between away draws at Athletico Paranaense and Santos, Dorival Junior has overseen 1-0 victories over Cruzeiro and RB Bragantino respectively.
Seventh place will also be their target and Dorival will be eager to deliver on that, with Tricolor Paulista only finishing in ninth spot in 2022.
Team News
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Fluminense boss Diniz will be forced into making at least one change courtesy of Nino's dismissal at Flamengo, but the defender is also on international duty with Brazil.
Veteran defender David Braz may be brought into the centre of defence, but it is plausible that the rest of the team could stay the same.
Although Yony Gonzalez came off the substitutes' bench to score the equaliser last time out, he was soon withdrawn through injury.
Minimal changes are also expected to be made to the Sao Paulo XI, with their selection already hit by several international call-ups.
Nahuel Ferraresi, Robert Arboleda and James Rodriguez are all absent, while Alan Franco is potentially in line to replace Arboleda in the middle of the backline.
Fluminense possible starting lineup:
Fabio; Xavier, Braz, Santos, Maritnelli; Marcelo, Andre; Arias, Ganso, Keno; Kennedy
Sao Paulo possible starting lineup:
Rafael; Rafinha, Franco, Beraldo, Paulista; Alisson, Maia; Rato, Luciano, Araujo; Juan
We say: Fluminense 1-1 Sao Paulo
With both teams having gone at least two games unbeaten in the league, this is expected to be a competitive affair. Fluminense can play without pressure courtesy of their Copa Libertadores success, but we feel that Sao Paulo are playing with enough confidence to earn a share of the spoils.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Darren Plant
