Preview: Fortaleza vs. Flamengo - prediction, team news, lineups

Second meets fourth on Sunday night when Flamengo travel to face Fortaleza, with both sides chasing a place in the 2022 Copa Libertadores group stage.

The pair are level on points in the Brazilian Serie A, with Flamengo ahead through a vastly superior goal difference, yet Fortaleza could leapfrog their opponents with a win this weekend.

Match preview

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Since earning promotion back to the top flight in 2018-19, Fortaleza have failed to pick up a single victory over Flamengo, losing all but one of their five meetings.

Last triumphant over the Brazilian behemoth during the 2016 Copa do Brasil, a first league victory in a decade over Flamengo this weekend would add to what has already been a superb season for Fortaleza.

They are yet to drop out of the top five all season and had held hopes of a maiden Brazilian championship win, until a dreadful run of form derailed their title challenge.

Having lost only three times between the start of the campaign and the end of August, a torrid September saw Fortaleza beaten in each of their four league matches bar one – a slender 2-1 victory over second-bottom Sport Recife.

October has not started much better for the Lion of the Pici, with a heavy 3-0 defeat to Atletico Goianiense to start the month, yet they were able to register an impressive 2-0 victory over fellow-Libertadores chasing Fluminense last time out.

Should their dreams of qualifying for their first Libertadores group stage become a reality, a strong finish to the season will be essential, yet their record against Flamengo will not instil much confidence in Fortaleza boss Juan Pablo Vojvoda.

In sharp contrast to their opponents on Sunday, Flamengo are regulars in South America's most prestigious club competition and they will have yet another Libertadores final to look forward to, after seeing off Ecuadorian side Barcelona in the semi-finals.

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Having last won the competition in 2019, Flamengo will take on the reigning champions Palmeiras during November's matchup, in what is the first Libertadores final to include the two most recent winners.

Victory over Palmeiras would secure a spot in the 2022 Libertadores group stage, yet the Rubro-Negro could have already bagged their space in that stage of the competition with a top-four finish.

Currently second in the table, a late push to retain their Serie A title may not be an impossible task for Flamengo, who would be within touching distance of leaders Atletico Mineiro should they win their two games in hand.

One big step towards securing a Libertadores spot and also keeping their championship hopes alive would come with a statement victory over high-flying Fortaleza, who themselves will be keen to return to winning ways against the Rubro-Negro.

Team News

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A big few weeks in the history of Fortaleza await the club and a landmark victory over Flamengo will go a long way to helping secure their Libertadores dream.

Blessed by a full squad to pick from, Fortaleza boss Vojvoda will no doubt turn to Robson for a goal or two against the side from Rio de Janeiro, as the 30-year-old has netted seven times this year.

Much of the Lion of the Pici's creativity this season has come from Lucas Crispim, who has provided seven assists for Fortaleza, and the 27-year-old will be looking to combine with Robson once more.

Unlike their opponents, Flamengo will be without a collection of players for their trip, with a number of injuries confounded by a hectic international break thwarting their league plans.

Gustavo Henrique has played 11 times for Flamengo this year, yet was forced to miss the previous two matches through injury, whilst recent arrival David Luiz is also a doubt for this weekend.

The former Arsenal and Chelsea defender has not played for Flamengo since joining as a free agent in September and the 34-year-old is likely to have to wait for his debut once again.

If those absences were not bad enough for Renato Gaucho, the Flamengo boss will be without four players through international duty, including star man Gabriel Barbosa.
 
A bumper summer of international duty, that saw Barbosa feature in the Copa America, meant he has missed a number of Flamengo matches this season, and the 25-year-old striker has been called up for the Brazilian national team once more.

Mauricio Isla (Chile), Everton Ribeiro (Brazil) and Giorgian de Arrascaeta (Uruguay) are also missing for Flamengo, who will be hoping their depleted side will have enough to see off Fortaleza.

Their task may be made a little easier, however, as Manchester United loanee Andreas Pereira has hit form at the right time for Flamengo, scoring his first goal for the club two matches ago.

Fortaleza possible starting lineup:
Alves; Tinga, Benevenuto, Titi; Crispim, Jussa, Ederson, Pikachu; Robson, Ronald; Henriquez

Flamengo possible starting lineup:
Batista; Matheuzinho, Caio, Pereira, Rene; Arao, Maia; Vitinho, Pereira, Henrique; Pedro

We say: Fortaleza 1-1 Flamengo

Whilst both sides will be desperate for the three points, this match may depend on how much the two value the win over the potential damaging ramifications of a defeat.

It is not the kind of match that will decide the pair's season, yet it is one that could derail it if they are to be beaten heavily, making the draw the most likely outcome here.