O Maracanã go dey hot dis Sunday as Flamengo and Fluminense dey ready for another Fla-Flu derby. Na big match for Brasileirão Série A Round 11, wey dem shift from Saturday to Sunday after Flamengo request am. Fluminense dey third for table with 20 points, while Flamengo dey fourth with one game wey dem never play.
Flamengo coach Leonardo Jardim don release im lineup, and e carry Lucas Paquetá and Arrascaeta for midfield. Alex Sandro don return as starter after im injury. Dis selection dey make noise because Paquetá na new return to Flamengo after im time for Europe, and fans dey expect big things from am.
For Fluminense side, manager Luis Zubeldía no dey plan many changes despite im team draw 0-0 with Deportivo La Guaira for Copa Libertadores midweek. John Kennedy, wey miss two clear chances for dat match, still dey expected to lead attack. German Cano dey slowly return from injury but no dey start.
Flamengo come from 2-0 win over Cusco for Peru for Libertadores, but dat match play for high altitude wey fit affect players. Coach Cuca of Santos talk say im team also get flight delay dis week, but Flamengo get one extra day rest after dem postpone dis derby. Palmeiras even send official statement to criticize di postponement.
Di head-to-head statistics show say Flamengo get upper hand for dis rivalry. For 390 meetings, Flamengo win 142 times, Fluminense win 122, and 126 end as draw. Dis season, dem meet twice for Campeonato Carioca—Fluminense win 2-1 for first phase, but Flamengo win on penalties for final after 0-0 draw.
Referee Raphael Claus go officiate di match wey go start by 18:00 local time. Fluminense get perfect home record for Maracanã dis league season with five wins from five matches. But dem draw im last two games total, and dia attack no dey clinical recently.
Flamengo get injury concerns. Everton Cebolinha dey recover from fractured ribs, Alex Sandro just return from thigh injury, and Saul Níguez dey almost ready after im own recovery. Jorginho and Erick Pulgar dey doubtful for midfield. Pedro, wey start on bench against Cusco, dey expected to lead attack from beginning against im former club.
Di physical condition of Flamengo players go be key factor. After playing at 3,350 meters above sea level for Peru, some players fit still feel di effect. Quick recovery go crucial for dia performance for dis derby.
Fluminense get suspension worries too. Canobbio, Freytes, Jemmes, Guilherme Arana, and Martinelli all dey one yellow card away from missing next match against Santos if dem collect card for dis derby.
Di match prediction dey tight. Many analysts dey talk say draw fit happen because Fluminense strong for home but dia attack no dey sharp, while Flamengo get quality but dey manage physical fatigue. Some betting tips dey suggest Double Chance for Flamengo with under 3.5 goals, or correct score of 1-1.
Di atmosphere for Maracanã go electric as always. Fans from both sides dey ready, with social media already dey buzz with expectations. For Flamengo, dis match dey important to close gap on Palmeiras wey dey lead table. For Fluminense, dem want to extend dia advantage over dia rival to six points—something wey rare for recent years.
Do you have a news tip for NNN? Please email us at editor @ nnn.ng
