MX23RW : Tuesday, October 12 17:08:23| >> :120:28499:28499:
Oct 9, 2021 at 8.30pm UK at Estádio Olímpico João Havelange
FluminenseFluminense
0-0
Atletico GOAtletico Goianiense

Kennedy (81'), Claro (87')
FT

Pereira Martins (45'), Eder (67')

Preview: Fluminense vs. Atletico Goianiense - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Brasileiro clash between Fluminense and Atletico Goianiense, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Fluminense will continue their pursuit of a Copa Libertadores group stage spot when they host fellow continental hopefuls Atletico Goianiense on Saturday night.

The pair are separated by two points in mid-table, in what is shaping up to be an extremely tight end to the Brazilian Serie A campaign.


Match preview

Fluminense's Fred celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates on August 13, 2021© Reuters

Close to a decade since the last time Fluminense last won the Brazilian championship, their hopes of a first title since 2012 were quashed early on in the campaign, due to their patchy and inconsistent form.

It took the Tricolor Flu Fluzao 18 matches of the season to register their first back-to-back wins of the campaign, with the side from Rio de Janeiro having failed to threaten the division's top spots.

A resurgence of late had seen Marco Aurelio's side embark on a six-match unbeaten run, yet a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Fortaleza in midweek brought about the Fluminense coach's first defeat of his most recent reign.

Marco was reinstated as Fluminense boss for the third time in mid-August, following the sacking of Roger Machado after a run of six matches without a victory, and the former Tricolor Flu Fluzao player has impressed so far in his latest stint.

There is a good chance the 49-year-old will see his side extend their strong form this weekend, with Fluminense having enjoyed their best performances at home this season, and the visit of Goianiense could prove crucial in their hunt for a top-six spot.

Fluminense's fifth-placed finish last season secured a Libertadores group stage spot, following a seven-year absence from South America's premier competition.

However, their dream of a maiden Libertadores triumph was quashed by Barcelona at the quarter-finals stage, with the Colombian side progressing on away goals after a 3-3 aggregate draw.

Fluminense's Fred celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on May 12, 2021© Reuters

Their opponents this weekend also enjoyed continental football this season, with Goianiense competing in South America's secondary competition, the Copa Sudamericana.

Unlike Fluminense, the Dragons were knocked out in the group stage, failing to progress to the knockout stages after finishing behind Paraguayan side Club Libertad.

A return to South American football seems likely for Goianiense next season, as they are currently occupying one of the six Sudamericana spaces, and they could even make a late dash for Libertadores qualification.

In a healthier position than they were at the start of the season, Goianiense have lost only two of their previous 11 Serie A matches, setting up what could end up being a strong finish to the campaign.

It also would not be massively against the odds if Goianiense were to go on and beat Fluminense, given the Dragons' impressive head-to-head record against their opponents, as they have only lost once in the last six meetings between the pair.

Furthermore, Goianiense have won the previous three matches against the Tricolor Flu Fluzao, with their last defeat coming in the first leg of their 2020 Copa do Brasil fourth-round tie – a fixture Marco's men progressed from on aggregate.

For Fluminense's last league victory over Goianiense, you have to go back to August 2017, when the Rio club triumphed 3-1 at the Maracana – a result they will be keen to replicate when the two meet at Brazilian football's eternal home this weekend.

Fluminense Brasileiro form:
  • L
  • W
  • D
  • W
  • W
  • W

Fluminense form (all competitions):
  • L
  • W
  • D
  • L
  • W
  • W

Atletico Goianiense Brasileiro form:
  • L
  • W
  • D
  • L
  • D
  • D



Team News

Fluminense's Gabriel Teixeira celebrates scoring their first goal with Nene on June 6, 2021© Reuters

It has been a relatively stable campaign for Goianiense and they remain hopeful of a return to continental football next season, with near enough a full squad to pick from this weekend.

Marlon Freitas is the only Goianiense player absent from their squad through injury, however, after missing the last nine matches with a foot problem the 26-year-old midfielder could be close to a return.

Igor Carius will return to the Goianiense squad having missed their last match with a yellow card suspension and Eduardo Barroca could choose to reinstate the 28-year-old on the left-hand side of defence.

A push to make the Sudamericana may depend on the form of Ze Roberto, who has five goals for the campaign, and the Goianiense forward will lead the line against Fluminense.

Unlike their opponents, Fluminense are in the midst of a minor injury crisis, with a number of players absent for Tricolor Flu Fluzao.

Gabriel Teixeira, Manoel and Ganso are unlikely to feature at all in October for Marco's side and the trio will be a big miss for the hosts against Goianiense.

Unlike his teammates, Hudson will not feature in Fluminense's push for continental football, as the 33-year-old is yet to play this season following a cruciate ligament injury picked up last year.

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

Atletico Goianiense possible starting lineup:
Fernando; Dudu, Wanderson, Eder, Natanael; Barbosa Teixeira, Maranhao; Luis, Paulo, Pereira Martins; Ze Roberto


SM words green background

We say: Fluminense 1-1 Atletico Goianiense

A stumbling campaign could be made a little bit sweeter if Fluminense are able to sneak into the Libertadores spots before the end of the season.

A win against Goianiense will take them within touching distance of the top six, whilst a defeat could spell the end of their hopes, meaning a draw seems the likely scenario in this one.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:data


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How you voted: Fluminense vs Atletico GO

Fluminense
55.6%
Draw
44.4%
Atletico Goianiense
0.0%
9
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Flamengo's Bruno Henrique celebrates scoring their third goal with Filipe Luis and teammates on August 1, 2021
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rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Atletico Mineiro24165338162253
2FlamengoFlamengo22133643202342
3PalmeirasPalmeiras2412393732539
4FortalezaFortaleza2511683229339
5BragantinoBragantino24911439291038
6Corinthians2591062723437
7InternacionalInternacional249963125636
8Athletico ParanaenseAthletico PR24103113131033
9Fluminense248972426-233
10America MineiroAmerica Mineiro2571082426-231
11Atletico GoianienseAtletico GO2471072022-231
12Cuiaba2561362526-131
13Sao Paulo2561272025-530
14CearaCeara2361162124-329
15JuventudeJuventude2561092430-628
16SantosSantos2461082229-728
17Bahia2475122838-1026
18Sport RecifeSport2568111421-726
19Gremio2365122027-723
20ChapecoenseChapecoense2519152243-2112

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