Preview: America Mineiro vs. Flamengo - prediction, team news, lineups

America Mineiro will be aiming to continue their recent upturn in form in the Brasileiro when they host reigning champions Flamengo on Sunday.

Coelho sit 16th in the table, outside the relegation zone on goal difference, while Rubro-Negro are in third place.

Match preview

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Following promotion from the second tier last season, it has not been an easy ride for America Mineiro, who switched managers just three games into the campaign after a 2-0 loss to Sunday's opponents Flamengo.

Vagner Mancini replaced Lisca in the dugout and is finally beginning to turn around the club's fortunes; they are currently on a four-game unbeaten run and have won their last two home matches.

On Wednesday, Coelho drew 0-0 with Sao Paulo to move out of the relegation zone, and will now be targeting a fifth consecutive game without defeat for the first time this season.

Despite their position in the table, only Sport Recife and Atletico Mineiro have conceded fewer home goals this season than America Mineiro (seven).

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Flamengo will put that record to the test on Sunday as Rubro-Negro are the league's highest scorers with 35 goals to their name so far; they also have the second-best defence in the division.

Title winners in 2019 and 2020, Flamengo started the campaign in poor form before Renato Gaucho replaced Rogerio Ceni in the dugout in July.

Gaucho has lifted Flamengo to a Copa Libertadores spot, and they are currently 11 points behind leaders Atletico Mineiro with two games in hand.

A surprise 1-0 defeat to Gremio last weekend was Rubro-Negro's first defeat in five matches, but they bounced back with a 2-0 win over Barcelona SC in the Copa Libertadores in midweek.

Flamengo have won four of their last five matches away from home and have also picked up six victories in their last seven meetings with America Mineiro.

Team News

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Lucas Kal is available again for America Mineiro after being ineligible to face parent club Sao Paulo on Wednesday.

Vagner Mancini is unlikely to make too many changes to his team, but Rodolfo and Alan Ruschel are pushing for starts.

Striker Ribamar has not scored in his last seven appearances, so may lose his place in the starting lineup.

David Luiz made his Flamengo debut in the Copa Libertadores in midweek and is expected to make his first league appearance on Sunday.

The former Arsenal defender should take the place of Rodrigo Caio, who picked up his third yellow card of the season in the closing stages against Gremio last weekend so is suspended.

Bruno Henrique scored both goals against Barcelona SC on Wednesday so is in contention to make his first league start since August 15.

America Mineiro possible starting lineup:

Cavichioli; Patric, Bauermann, Silva, Marlon; Ale, Kal; Ademir, Zarate, Azevedo; Ribamar

Flamengo possible starting lineup:

Alves; Isla, Luiz, L. Pereira, Rene; M. Pereira, Arao; Ribeiro, Vitinho, Henrique; Barbosa

We say: America Mineiro 1-2 Flamengo

Flamengo will be out to prove that defeat to Gremio last weekend was just a blip and we expect them to pick up all three points here. It will not be easy though, with America Mineiro becoming harder to beat in recent weeks.