Preview: Fluminense vs. Sport Recife - prediction, team news, lineups

After losing their last two games, Fluminense will aim to get back to winning ways when they welcome Sport Recife to the Maracana on Saturday.

Relegation-threatened Sport Recife enter the weekend in 17th place, and they will be looking to build upon the win that they picked up at home last weekend.

Match preview

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Fluminense enter the fixture off the back of two away defeats to Santos and Ceara, but they will see Saturday's home fixture as an opportunity to pick up three points.

Last weekend, Vina dispatched a spot kick early in the first half for Ceara, which proved to be enough to condemn Fluminense to a 1-0 defeat.

Marcao's side have ambitions of clinching a Copa Libertadores qualification spot, but those two defeats leave them five points off the top six.

Having only suffered three home league defeats all season, Fluminense will be confident of winning consecutive home games on Saturday.

Fluminense have conceded 17 league goals in the final 30 minutes this season, and Marcao will be aware that his team must remain focused through the duration of their games if they are to qualify for the Copa Libertadores.

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Meanwhile, Sport Recife have struggled this season, and they head into the weekend in the relegation zone, having accumulated 30 points this term.

Before last weekend, Sport Recife had endured a four-game winless run, so they were grateful to pick up a victory at home to Atletico Goianiense last Sunday.

That victory came courtesy of a brace from Mikael, who scored from the spot before wrapping up the win in the 86th minute.

The major factor in Sport Recife's troubles has been the fact that they have struggled to find the net, scoring only 17 goals in their 27 league games.

Gustavo Florentin will also be concerned with his side's recent away form, with Sport Recife winning just once in their previous seven away games.

Team News

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Yago Felipe is a doubt for the game due to a thigh injury, but Fluminense are hopeful that he may feature on the bench.

Although, Gabriel Teixeira, Ganso and Hudson are all definitely out for the hosts due to injury issues.

Positively, Nino started last week against Ceara after missing a couple of games, while Fred returned from injury to make a substitute appearance and the pair are expected to start on Saturday.

Sport Recife are without the services of Leandro Barcia, Everaldo, Neilton, who are all out injured.

Thiagos Lopes and Joao Igor are both still missing for the hosts, with the pair set to miss the remainder of the season.

Gustavo and Mikael are both suspended for the game due to yellow card accumulation, and they are likely to be replaced in the starting lineup by Everton Felipe and Paulinho.

Fluminense possible starting lineup:
Felipe; Xavier, Nino, Braz, Marlon; Andre, Martinelli, Arias; Henrique, Paulista, Fred

Sport Recife possible starting lineup:
Mailson; Ewerton, Thyere, Sabino, Sander; Marcao, Hernanes, Welison; Felipe, Paulinho, Trellez

We say: Fluminense 1-0 Sport Recife

Fluminense will be confident heading into the contest after winning three of their last five home games, and with Sport Recife struggling away from home of late, we think that the hosts will collect a victory on Saturday.

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