Preview: Corinthians vs. Fluminense - prediction, team news, lineups

Corinthians and Fluminense will both be looking to return to winning ways in the Brasileiro when the two sides lock horns on Thursday.

The hosts are unbeaten in their last five league matches at the Corinthians Arena, while the visitors have claimed just one victory in their last eight games across all competitions on the road.

Match preview

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Corinthians' 10-game unbeaten league run came to an end last weekend when they suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat away against Sport Recife.

Substitute Paulinho Moccelin scored for the hosts in the 81st minute to condemn Sylvinho's side to their first loss since August 1 against Flamengo.

The Timao are clinging on to the final Copa Libertadores qualification spot, sitting just one place and one point above Internacional in seventh, who have a game in hand.

Despite enjoying a long unbeaten run in September and for the majority of August, Corinthians have failed to keep a clean sheet in eight of their last 10 matches.

Sylvinho will be keen to see defensive improvements as they head into the final quarter of the campaign, if they are to qualify for South America's elite club competition.

However, they head into Thursday's game after conceding in seven of their last eight meetings against Fluminense. Their only clean sheet was in fact in their last home encounter, when they cruised to a 5-0 victory in January.

A repeat of that result could see them close in on the top four, as they aim to finish in their highest league position since winning the Brasileiro title in 2017.

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Fluminense's hopes of qualifying for just their third Copa Libertadores in 10 years were dealt another blow, as their 2-0 loss to Fortaleza was followed by a goalless draw at home against Atletico Goianiense last weekend.

Tricolor Flu Fluzao have now failed to score in successive league games for the first time since mid-July and currently sit four points behind Thursday's opponents Corinthians in sixth.

Since winning the Brasileiro title in 2012, Fluminense have lost at least 11 matches in each of the last eight seasons. This campaign, they have already suffered seven defeats and with tricky encounters against six of the current top eight to come, Marco Aurelio's side will need to be on top of their game if they are to climb the Brasileiro standings.

Fluminense head to the Corinthians Arena on Thursday having won only three of their 13 top-flight away meetings against the Timao.

Securing all three points in midweek could be the springboard the Tricolor Flu Fluzao need to put a positive run of form together as they aim to better last season's fifth-place finish.

Team News

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Corinthians will be without former Chelsea and Arsenal winger Willian, who continues to recover from a thigh injury, while midfielders Roni and Ruan Oliveira are ruled out with knee problems.

An ever-present back four of Fagner, Joao Victor, Gil and Fabio Santos is expected to start once again, shielding goalkeeper Cassio.

Experienced duo Renato Augusto and Giuliano will likely continue in central midfield, while winger Gustavo Silva will be hoping he can return to the first XI ahead of Gabriel Pereira.

As for Fluminense, centre-back Luccas Claro will serve a one-match suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards, so Manoel is expected to start as a result.

The visitors will also be without Juan Cazares, Muriel, Gabriel Teixeira, Ganso and Hudson due to injury.

Thirty-eight-year-old striker Fred, who has scored only two goals in his last 11 league matches, is expected to lead the line again, with support provided on the flanks by Caio Paulista and Luiz Henrique.

Corinthians possible starting lineup:
Cassio; Fagner, Victor, Gil, Santos; Cantillo; Silva, Giuliano, Renato Augusto, Guedes; Jo

Fluminense possible starting lineup:
Marcos; Calegari, Nino, Manoel, Danilo; Andre, Nonato, Yago; Henrique, Fred, Paulista

We say: Corinthians 2-2 Fluminense

With both sides keeping only one clean sheet in their last eight matches across all competitions, goals are to be expected on Thursday.

Corinthians cruised to a five-goal victory in this fixture last season, though we do not expect such a convincing result this time around. There is little to separate the two teams here and so a score draw could be on the cards in Sao Paulo.