Sports Mole previews Thursday’s Brasileiro clash between Fluminense and Vitoria, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Fluminense and Vitoria, both struggling at the foot of the 2024 Brasileiro Serie A table, go head-to-head on Thursday at the Maracana.
Both teams come into the fixture after defeats, and a win for either side could lift them out of the bottom four, depending on other results.
Match preview
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Despite a spirited performance in the Fla-Flu derby on Sunday, Fluminense fell to a late penalty by Pedro, losing 1-0 to Flamengo.
The match was fiery, with Flu manager Fernando Diniz and Vinicius Lima of Flamengo sent off towards the end. Diniz, under immense pressure to turn things around, questioned the legitimacy of the penalty after the game.
The Tricolors are now winless in their last eight league games, losing the last four. This poor run has left them rooted to the bottom of the Serie A table with just six points from 11 matches.
Thursday’s home match against Vitoria offers a chance to stop the rot. Fluminense have not lost to Vitoria at home since 2016, winning twice and drawing four times in that period.
With both teams having conceded a joint-second-highest number of goals in the league (19), the outcome could hinge on which side defends better.
Newly-promoted Vitoria’s return to the top flight has been a harsh awakening. They lost five of their opening six games, drawing one. However, they then managed a run of positive results, winning two and drawing two more, before being brought back down to earth with a 2-1 defeat to Bragantino on Sunday.
Leeo da Barra looked on course for their first away win when Jean Mota put them ahead early on. However, Eric Ramires and Helinho turned the game around for Braga, handing Thiago Carpini‘s side their fifth defeat.
The result sent Vitoria back into the bottom four, where they currently sit 17th in Serie A with nine points from 11 games, level on points with 14th-placed Athletico Paranaense.
Despite no away wins so far this season, Carpini’s men will fancy their chances against the league’s bottom side. Victory could see them climb as high as 13th, depending on other results.
Fluminense Brasileiro form:
Fluminense form (all competitions):
Vitoria Brasileiro form:
Team News
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Fluminense will remain without Colombian midfielder Jhon Arias, who is away on international duty at the Copa America.
On the injury front, Andre Trindade is ruled out with a knee problem while Marquinhos is sidelined with a thigh issue.
Veteran defender Marcelo and midfielder Isaac, are both doubtful for this clash after sitting out of the Fla-Flu derby.
For Vitoria, defender Lucas Esteves will play no part in this clash as he serves a match ban for crossing the yellow card threshold.
Several players are also out injured, including Camutanga, Mateus Gonclaves, Everaldo, Dudu and Iury Castilho who are all sidelined until next month.
Veteran defender Bruno Uvini also remains out with a thigh injury while midfielder Janderson is also nursing a knee problem.
Fluminense possible starting lineup:
Fabio; Xavier, Carlos, Martinelli, Barbosa; Gabriel, Lima, Augusto; Ganso, Cano, Kennedy
Vitoria possible starting lineup:
Arcanjo; Lepo, Reynaldo, Leonardo, Esteves; Mota, Leo, Willian, Andrade; Adriano, Castillo
We say: Fluminense 2-1 Vitoria
This is a crucial match for both sides, as victory could propel their seasons forward. The visitors have shown glimpses of form recently, but their last defeat exposed a lack of consistency. With home advantage in their favour, we expect the hosts to narrowly win this encounter.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.