Preview: Flamengo vs. Sao Paulo - prediction, team news, lineups

Last season's Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A champions Flamengo will be looking to close in on a place in the top four when they host Sao Paulo on Sunday.

The two teams head into this fixture after successfully progressing into the quarter-finals of the Copa Libertadores, after both overcoming Argentinian opposition.

Match preview

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Flamengo's hopes of winning the Copa Libertadores for the second time in three years remain alive, as they cruised to a 4-1 victory in their last-16 second-leg tie against Defensa y Justicia on Thursday, winning 5-1 on aggregate.

Rodrigo Caio's ninth-minute strike was followed by second-half goals from Giorgian De Arrascaeta and Vitinho, with the latter scoring twice in the final 10 minutes to book Flamengo's place in the quarter-finals.

Since the arrival of head coach Renato Gaucho, the Scarlet-Black's form has improved significantly. In a two and a half week period between the end of June and the beginning of July, Flamengo lost four league matches out of six. Since then, they have won each of their last four games across all competitions, scoring 12 goals in the process, with three of these victories under Gaucho's tenure.

This includes an impressive 5-0 thrashing away at Bahia last weekend, a result which greatly improved their goal difference and saw them rise up to sixth in the Brasileiro standings.

Last season's league champions lost both encounters with Sao Paulo last season, though they will fancy their chances of getting revenge on Sunday and a win could see them move to within three points of the top four.

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Like Flamengo, Sao Paulo also progressed into the last eight of the Copa Libertadores, when they beat Racing Club 3-1 in the second leg of their last-16 tie on Thursday, winning 4-2 on aggregate.

The Tricolor Paulista failed to beat the Argentinian outfit in their previous three attempts during this year's competition, but a brace from Emiliano Rigoni and a strike from Marquinhos ensured they came out on top this time around, to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in six years.

Hernan Crespo's men now turn their attention back to the Brasileiro, where they have struggled so far this campaign. Another defeat in their last league match, at home to Fortaleza, leaves Sao Paulo one point above the relegation zone, with just two wins from 12 matches on the board.

They can, however, take confidence into Sunday's game as they have an impressive record against Flamengo, winning six and drawing three of the last nine meetings against them across all competitions.

Sao Paulo have only won once in the league on the road this term, but a victory this weekend would provide a massive boost for Crespo's men who could climb as high as 12th in the table.

Team News

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Flamengo duo Piris Da Motta and Cesar remain unavailable for selection as they are suffering with respective ankle and knee injuries.

Gaucho is unlikely to make too many changes from the side that won on Thursday, which could see Everton Ribeiro and Bruno Henrique keep their places on the flanks.

Midfielders Willian Arao and Diego could also start again, though Joao Gomes and Thiago Maia will be looking to force their way back into the first XI.

As for Sao Paulo, they will be without Eder (thigh), William da Silva (knee), Luciano (thigh) and Walce (knee) due to injury.

Dani Alves is also unavailable as he is with the Brazilian national team in Tokyo for the 2020 Olympics.

Centre-back Bruno Alves could return to the starting lineup at the expense of Robert Arboleda, while Marquinhos and Rigoni are set to keep their places in attack, after scoring in midweek.

Flamengo possible starting lineup:
Alves; Isla, G. Henrique, Pereira, Luis; Arao, Diego; Ribeiro, De Arrascaeta, B. Henrique; Barbosa

Sao Paulo possible starting lineup:
Volpi; B. Alves, Miranda, Leo; Vinicius, Liziero, Welington, Sara, Benitez; Marquinhos, Rigoni

We say: Flamengo 1-0 Sao Paulo

Flamengo have seemingly found their form at the right time and will be hoping to continue their good run with another victory on Sunday.

Sao Paulo have also improved in recent weeks, however we can see the hosts securing a narrow win, which would be their first against the visitors in over four years.