Preview: Fluminense vs. Bragantino - prediction, team news, lineups

Bragantino will be aiming to pick up a fourth victory on the trot for the first time since June 2021 when they visit the Estadio Municipal General Raulino de Oliveira to face Fluminense on Sunday.

The Tricolor, who are unbeaten in nine consecutive games across all competitions, will look to continue their fine run of form as they could move into second place in the Serie A standings with all three points this weekend.

Match preview

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Fluminense maintained their excellent run of form as they fought back from behind to claim a thrilling 3-2 victory against Goias at the Estadio da Serrinha last Wednesday.

Trailing 2-1 heading into the final 10 minutes, German Cano and 35-year-old forward Willian scored quick-fire goals within two minutes to turn the game on its head in dramatic fashion.

Prior to that, Fluminense saw their six-game winning streak across all competitions come to an end on July 17 when they were held to a 2-2 draw by a resilient Sao Paulo side at the Estadio de Morumbi.

Fernando Diniz's men are now unbeaten in nine consecutive games in all competitions, picking up seven wins and two draws since a 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Atletico Goianiense.

With 31 points from 18 games, Fluminense are currently fourth in the Serie A standings, level on points with Athletico Paranaense and five off first-placed Palmeiras.

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Elsewhere, Mauricio Barbieri's Bragantino made it two wins from two home games last time out when they saw off Fortaleza 2-1 at the Estadio Nabi Abi Chedid.

After Lucas Evangelista opened the scoring in the 37th-minute, Emanuel Britez levelled matters in the 57th minute, but former Sao Paulo man Gabriel Novaes struck a dramatic winner with what was the last significant kick of the game.

The Massa Bruta have now won each of their last three league outings, scoring nine goals and conceding just once since a 1-0 defeat against Botafogo on July 5.

Bragantino have now picked up seven wins, six draws and lost five of their 18 games so far to collect 27 points and sit eighth in the league standings, level on points with seventh-placed Flamengo.

Team News

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Fluminense will be without the services of David Braz, who has been out of action since picking up a thigh problem against Atletico Goianiense on June 6.

He is joined on the Tricolor injury table by 21-year-old defender Luan Freitas, who continues his journey to full fitness after suffering a knee injury.

Bragantino will have to cope without 21-year-old midfielder Eric Ramires, who is set to serve the second of his three-game suspension for picking up a straight red against Botafogo on July 5.

On the injury front, Barbieri will be unable to call upon the services of Hyroyan and Ytalo, who have been ruled out through hand and heel issues respectively.

Uruguayan midfielder Emiliano Martinez also continues his long road to full fitness after picking up an Achilles tendon injury back in December.

Fluminense possible starting lineup:

Fabio; Xavier, Nino, Manoel, Paulista; Andre, Nonato; Martins, Ganso, Arias; Cano

Bragantino possible starting lineup:

Cleiton; Aderlan, Ortiz, Souza, Candido; Evangelista, Raul; Artur, Silveira, Sorriso; Alerrandro

We say: Fluminense 2-1 Bragantino

While Bragantino will be looking to surge into the upper echelons of the table, next up is a rampant Fluminense side who are unbeaten in each of their last nine outings across all competitions. The Tricolor have won each of their last four home games and we are backing them to see off the visitors, albeit by a slender margin.

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