Basement club Gremio are still searching for their first league victory of the season and will be hoping they can finally open their account away at Fluminense in the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A on Sunday.
The visitors have lost all four games on the road so far this campaign, while the hosts have failed to win each of their last three matches on home soil.
Match preview
Fluminense extended their unbeaten run across all competitions to four matches after claiming a 2-0 away victory in the first leg of their Copa Libertadores last-16 tie against Paraguayan side Cerro Porteno on Tuesday.
Former Paris Saint-Germain and West Ham United forward Nene rifled in the opening goal four minutes after half time, before left-back Egidio scored from close range to seal an impressive victory, with two away goals to take into the second leg.
Before the reverse fixture next week, head coach Roger Machado will prepare his side for their encounter with struggling Gremio, who they will be strong favourites to beat on Sunday.
Accumulating seven points in their last three league games has seen Fluminense climb to seventh in the Brasileiro standings, four points behind Fortaleza in fourth place.
Fluminense have failed to win any of their last three home matches, conceding five goals in the process, but a victory this weekend could see them move up one place into sixth, a Copa Libertadores qualification spot.
Following his appointment earlier this month, Luis Felipe Scolari is yet to lose as Gremio head coach, drawing his first league match 0-0 at home to Internacional before claiming a narrow 1-0 victory against Ecuadorian outfit LDU Quito in their first-leg last-16 tie of the Copa Sudamericana.
A crucial away goal scored in the 19th minute by Leo Pereira was enough for the Immortal Tricolor to seal the win and take a slender lead into next week's second leg on home soil.
Gremio will now focus on what has been a disappointing start to their Brasileiro campaign, claiming just three points from their opening nine matches.
Scolari's men are one of only three sides who are yet to win so far this season and currently sit rock bottom, six points adrift of safety.
Gremio beat Fluminense 1-0 in both of their fixtures against them last season, and another victory on Sunday would finally see them open their account and move them off the bottom of the table.
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Team News
Fluminense striker Abel Hernandez returned to the starting lineup in midweek, after suffering from a heel problem, and is likely to keep his place in the side as experienced forward Fred remains out with a thigh injury.
The hosts will also be without Raul Bobadilla and Hudson as they are suffering with respective calf and knee injuries.
Midfielders Luiz Henrique and Paulo Henrique Ganso could both return to the first XI at the expense of Gabriel Teixeira and Caio Paulista, while talented forward Kayky – who has agreed a permanent switch to Manchester City in January 2022 – will also be pushing for a place in the starting lineup.
As for Gremio, Ferreira (knee), Thiago Santos (thigh), Maicon (calf), Elias Manoel (ankle) and Leo Gomes (knee) are all ruled out with injuries.
Goalkeeper Brenno Costa and midfielder Matheus Henrique are also unavailable for selection as they are away on international duty with Brazil at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
Juventus loanee Douglas Costa could start once again in the number 10 role, with Alisson and Jhonata Robert on the flanks and Diego Souza set to lead the line in attack.
Fluminense possible starting lineup:
Muriel; Calegari, Nino, Claro, Barcelos; Martinelli, Wellington; Henrique, Ganso, Nene; Hernandez
Gremio possible starting lineup:
Chapeco; Vanderson, Tressoldi, Kannemann, Cortez; F. Pereira, Bobsin; Alisson, Costa, Jhonata; Souza
We say: Fluminense 2-0 Gremio
Gremio are yet to concede a goal under Scolari, but they may find it difficult to keep their third successive clean sheet against Fluminense on Sunday.
The hosts are putting together a good run of form and we can see them extending their unbeaten run to five matches with a comfortable win at the Maracana Stadium.
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