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

Flamengo are in desperate need of a victory against cross-town rivals Fluminense in Saturday's huge derby showdown at the Maracana.

Reigning Brasileiro champions Flamengo dropped points last time out and are second, while Fluminense climbed into eighth place with victory in their most recent match.

Match preview

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The Fla–Flu derby tends to provide plenty of drama, but whatever happens across the 90 minutes this weekend, Flamengo simply need to come away from the match with all three points.

The Scarlet-Black have recovered from a poor start that saw them down in 10th place with more than a quarter of the season played, but they still have a lot of work to do.

Renato Gaucho, appointed as Rogerio Ceni's successor in July, has seen his side lose just two of their last 16 league matches, winning 10 of those.

However, a home stalemate with Cuiaba last time out, followed by a 2-2 draw with Athletico Paranaense in the Copa do Brasil, leaves them 10 points behind leaders Atletico Mineiro.

Flamengo do have two games in hand on Atletico, and the two sides are due to meet next week, so hope of retaining their title is not lost just yet.

For that to realistically happen, though, they could do with all three points against a Fluminense side that have hovered in mid-table pretty much throughout the campaign.

The Tricolor are currently eighth, four points off a Copa Libertadores qualification spot, which is now their sole focus over the remaining six weeks of the season.

Marcao's men head into this game on the back of a 1-0 win at Paranaense through a Jose Ivaldo own goal, but only once have they won successive games since the start of February.

Team News

Fluminense have been without Fred for their past few games due to a toe problem, while Muriel, Ganso, Juan Cazares, Gabriel Teixeira and Hudson are all struggling for fitness.

On the back of a morale-boosting victory, and with a week's rest, Marcao will likely keep changes to a minimum for this derby clash.

That should see John Kennedy lead the line once again, despite being on a long goalscoring drought.

As for the visitors, Everton Ribeiro and Gabi slotted back into the starting lineup in the last match after returning from international duty.

Both players are set to retain their places in the XI here, but David Luiz, Diego and Giorgian de Arrascaeta are all doubtful.

Kenedy and Gustavo Henrique are among those pushing for recalls on the back of the stalemate with Cuiaba.

Fluminense possible starting lineup:

M. Felipe; Xavier, Nino, Braz, Marlon; Andre, Y. Felipe; Henrique, Arias, Paulista; Kennedy

Flamengo possible starting lineup:

Alves; Matheuzinho, Viana, Pereira, Luis; Arao, Maia; Ribeiro, Pereira, Michael; Gabi

We say: Fluminense 1-2 Flamengo

There is nothing to separate these rival sides over the past five meetings, winning two apiece and drawing the other.

Flamengo have been far more consistent in recent months, however, and we can see them coming away with all three points here to keep their title bid alive.