Flamengo and Bragantino return to Brasileiro action following the international break when they meet at the Maracana on Thursday.

Just two days after Brazil hosted Argentina here, there will be another grudge match at this venue, with both sides optimistic of putting up a late title charge.

Match preview

The Brasileiro title race is well and truly back on as Botafogo's collapse continues, and these two sides are among the chasing pack now hunting down Palmeiras at the top.

The top six are separated by just five points, but with only four matchdays remaining, both sides realistically need a win to keep their hopes alive.

This is a game in hand for both clubs before the entire league returns to action at the weekend, where there is likely to be much change once again.

Both are almost guaranteed of Copa Libertadores places for next year, but Botafogo's remarkable downturn in form, which has seen them take just nine points from their last 12 matches, means there may be an unlikely shot at top spot.

Flamengo enter the weekend at the bottom of the chasing pack, five points adrift of Palmeiras, but have shown good form during a hectic schedule which saw them play seven games in just over three weeks.

The international break was much needed for Tite's side, but prior to it, they recorded two impressive results - thrashing the league leaders 3-0 here, as well as holding Libertadores champions Fluminense to a 1-1 draw.

The hosts have a difficult run-in, though, as this is one of four games against sides currently in the top half, with their other game against already-relegated America-MG.

Bragantino are in a slightly stronger position, two points ahead of their upcoming opponents, and they can move level on points with Palmeiras with a win on the road here.

A last-gasp equaliser from Thiago Borbas salvaged a point against Botafogo in their last outing, the perfect response to losing a point in similar circumstances when Erison's 93rd-minute penalty condemned them to a defeat at Sao Paulo a few days earlier.

Pedro Caixinha's side would certainly not be one of the most popular title winners, given they have come from nowhere to be title contenders under the infamous Red Bull umbrella.

Like with clubs in Salzburg and Leipzig in Europe, though, Bragantino are now genuine contenders and could claim a first-ever Brazilian top-flight crown this season.

Playing as Clube Atletico Bragantino, they finished second in 1991 but have not come close since and have spent a lot of time in the lower leagues, but it is a much different story now for the 2021 Copa Sudamericana runners-up.

Team News

Gabriel Barbosa was sent off in stoppage time in Flamengo's draw with Fluminense after late scuffles between the two sets of players, and he will miss out here through suspension.

Allan and David Luiz will both be absent for the hosts due to injury, as neither have featured in over a month.

Uruguayan midfielder Giorgian De Arrascaeta was surprisingly unused by his national side despite scoring in his last two club outings, so he should have fresh legs for this clash.

Bragantino will be without three players because of respective knee injuries, as trio Eduardo Santos, Lucas Cunha and Nathan Camargo are all currently sidelined.

Borbas and attacking partner Eduardo Sasha have scored 19 league goals between them this season, and will likely need to be on target if they are to take anything from this tough away trip.

Also absent are Luan Patrick and Eric Ramires, who are both out with thigh injuries for the visitors.

Flamengo possible starting lineup:
Rossi; Matheuzinho, Fabricio Bruno, Leo Pereira, Filipe Luis; Pulgar, Gerson, De Arrascaeta; Luiz Araujo, Pedro, Everton Soares

Bragantino possible starting lineup:
Cleiton; Hurtado, Realpe, Leo Ortiz, Juninho Capixaba; Jadsom, Lucas Evangelista, Matheus Fernandes; Borbas, Eduardo Sasha, Mosquera

We say: Flamengo 1-1 Bragantino

No team in the division has picked up more points than Bragantino's tally of 27 in the last 13 matches, and a draw would be much more favourable to the visitors, even if they would prefer all three.

Flamengo have proved themselves as being capable of taking on the top sides in the league over the past few weeks, but this will be a difficult test, and an underwhelming draw may be on the cards.


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