Bragantino can end a nine-match winless run in all competitions when they host Flamengo on Wednesday at Estadio Nabi Abi Chedid.
Massa Bruta have never lost to Mengao since entering the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A for the first time in 2020, with three draws and one victory against them domestically.
Match preview
© Reuters
Since the start of May, Braga have continued in a downward trajectory, losing 2-0 to Internacional on Sunday, as they are now goalless at home in three successive matches in all competitions.
At the moment, their youngsters are struggling to execute the high press employed by manager Mauricio Barbieri, a style which we do not see many top flight teams in Brazil attempt.
All of that relentless running and pressing seems to take a toll on them late in matches, and their opponents have managed to capitalise on this, with four of the last five goals conceded by Braga in league play coming with fewer than 20 minutes remaining, including two injury-time goals over the weekend.
Their recent slide has put them on the brink of relegation, currently just a single point above Goias in the table and descension into Serie B.
They still employ an attack-minded approach which focuses on flair and creativity, although that final ball has let them down and cost them numerous times this year.
For a team as aggressive and forward-thinking as Bragantino, they have been able to cover those spaces in behind their pressing fullbacks quite well, conceding a goal or fewer in six of their nine league fixtures to date.
© Reuters
On paper, Flamengo should be among the teams to beat in the top flight of Brazilian football, but that talent has not always equalled success, as they trail the league leaders Corinthians by six points.
Paulo Sousa will undoubtedly be feeling some heat because of his team's early struggles, especially after losing to last-place Fortaleza on Sunday (2-1), their second defeat at home in this domestic campaign.
The high risk, aggressive approach of Flamengo left plenty of space to their opponents this weekend, as Mengao have often been exposed out wide by quick transitional teams, who are capable of getting in behind when their wing-backs are high up the pitch.
While they are a strong side in possession, traditionally operating well over 80% in terms of pass accuracy, they have struggled to pick out their attacking players in dangerous scoring positions, with a goal or fewer in six domestic encounters this year.
When they can find an early breakthrough, Flamengo can settle and look more composed and in rhythm, winning all of their domestic encounters this year when tallying first.
Even though it is surprising to see them with three defeats after nine matches, these players can use last season as motivation that things can turn around quickly, as they only suffered three domestic losses in 2021 from matchday 11 to 35.
- W
- L
- D
- L
- D
- L
- L
- L
- L
- D
- L
- L
- L
- L
- D
- W
- W
- L
- D
- W
- W
- W
- W
- L
Team News
© Reuters
Cleiton faced five shots on Sunday, conceding twice in injury-time, sending Braga to defeat as he only has one clean sheet domestically this season.
Artur and Bruno Praxedes are struggling to find the same offensive form as they had in 2021, with a total of one goal and three assists between them this year, after combining for 26 goal involvements in the previous Brasileiro campaign.
Eric Ramires missed their defeat versus Internacional with a red card suspension, while numerous players are unlikely to be ready until the middle of this month because of injuries, including Hyoran (thigh), Carlos Eduardo (muscle), Maycon (ankle) and Emiliano Martinez (Achilles tendon).
Ytalo is the last Braga player to score a goal on home soil, back on May 11 in a 1-1 draw against Atletico Mineiro as he leads them with three so far this year, while Ramon has yet to make an appearance for them this season, having been loaned to Massa Bruta from Urubu.
Matheus Franca will not be available for Flamengo until late July at the earliest because of a broken leg, while former Bragantino centre-back Fabricio Bruno is out with a foot injury and Santos continues to nurse a sore thigh which will likely keep him on the sidelines for a couple more weeks.
Everton Ribeiro scored his first of the season in their defeat to Leao do Pici, Ayrton picked up his first assist of 2022 on that play, while the team missed the playmaking ability of Giorgian De Arrascaeta on Sunday, as the Uruguayan leads them with four assists but was not available after being called up for some national team friendlies.
Willian Arao and Gabriel lead them when it comes to goals, tallying two each, while Bruno Henrique has only scored once this year after finding the back of the net 11 times in the previous domestic campaign.
Bragantino possible starting lineup:
Cleiton; Hurtado, Realpe, Ortiz, Candido; Raul, Martinez; Artur, Ramires, Helinho; Ytalo
Flamengo possible starting lineup:
Souza; Matheuzinho, Caio, Pereira, Luis; Ribeiro, Maia, Arao, Pereira; Gabriel, Pedro
We say: Bragantino 0-1 Flamengo
Neither side have looked particularly sharp in the early portion of this season, although Flamengo have the experience of knowing how to adjust when going through a slump, which is something that Braga are still learning to do, so we will give Mengao the edge in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joel Lefevre
