Preview: Flamengo vs. Athletico Paranaense - prediction, team news, lineups

Flamengo's focus turns to the league this Sunday after reaching the Copa Libertadores final in midweek and they will go into the weekend in fourth position having accumulated 35 points in Campeonato Brasileiro.

Their opponents are Athletico Paranaense, who are five points worse off and as a result, they head into the weekend in ninth place.

Match preview

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Flamengo will be in a celebratory mood thanks to a 2-0 victory in midweek in the Copa Libertadores semi-final against Barcelona SC.

A brace from Bruno Henrique ensured Flamengo won 4-0 on aggregate to reach the final, where they will face fellow Brazilian side Palmeiras.

In the league, Sunday's hosts sit 11 points off top spot, but they have two games in hand, which gives them a chance of closing the gap to league leaders Atletico Mineiro.

Since replacing Rogerio Ceni as head coach, Renato Gaucho has guided his team to six league wins in 10 games and they have only suffered two defeats in the Campeonato Brasileiro in that period.

Although, they will aim to get back to winning ways on Sunday, having not won in their last two league outings courtesy of a 1-0 defeat to Gremio before they drew 1-1 with America Mineiro last weekend.

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Athletico Paranese were also busy in midweek and like their opponents they will be in a joyful mood thanks to a 2-0 win against Penarol of Uruguay, which sealed their place in the final of the Copa Sudamericana.

Goals from Nikao and Pedro Rocha guided their side to a 4-1 aggregate victory, which means Furacao will face fellow Brazilian team - Bragantino - in the final.

Antonio Oliveira's side have won their last two league matches against Juventude and Gremio, which ended a seven-game winless run in the league.

In their last Campeonato Brasileiro fixture, two goals apiece for Rocha and Renato De Souza helped Oliveira's team to a 4-2 victory against Gremio.

As a result, Athletico Paranaense head into the weekend three points off a Copa Libertadores qualifier spot and five points off an automatic place for South America's elite club competition.

Team News

Flamengo are likely to be without Robert Piris and Thiago Maia due to injury concerns.

David Luiz will also miss the game due to injury after limping off in the 10th minute of the Copa Libertadores semi-final against Barcelona SC.

In that game, Luiz was replaced by Gustavo Henrique, and Henrique is likely to come into the starting lineup for Sunday.

Athletico Paranaense are still without Matheus Babi and Lucas Halter, who are both long-term absentees.

Oliveira may make a few changes to freshen up his side, which could see Lucas Fasson come back into the centre of defence.

Rocha and De Souza could also come in, which would allow Oliveira to rest David Terans and Guilherme Bissoli.

Flamengo possible starting lineup:
Alves; Isla, Caio, Henrique, Luis; Arao, Pereira, De Arrascaeta; Ribeiro, Henrique, Barbosa

Athletico Paranaense possible starting lineup:
Santos; Ze Ivaldo, Heleno, Fasson; Marcinho, Erick, Richard, Abner; Nikao, Rocha, De Souza

We say: Flamengo 2-1 Athletico Paranaense

This contest may take a while to get going with both sides playing important matches during the week, but when the encounter does spring into life, we think Flamengo will be too strong for their opponents and that they will get back to winning ways in the league.