Preview: Vasco da Gama vs. Flamengo - prediction, team news, lineups

Vasco da Gama will resume their Brasileiro campaign when they host Flamengo at the Maracana on Sunday evening.

The home side ended a four-match losing streak with a win over Vitoria in their last league outing, also ending a three-match winless run.

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Match preview

Vasco da Gama's last outing was in the Copa do Brasil, where they advanced to the next stage with a penalty shootout win over Fortaleza after a 3-3 draw across both legs.

Back in the Brasileiro, the Cruzmaltino have endured a poor campaign so far, sitting in 13th place with six points from six games. Alvaro Pacheco's side started the league with a home win over Gremio before losing their next four games in the competition.

However, Vasco ended the four-match losing streak with a 2-1 win over Vitoria in their last league outing, and will now look to win back-to-back league matches for the first time this season.

The problem, though, is their failure to record a win over Sunday's opponents in their last five meetings across all competitions.

Flamengo were in danger of exiting the Copa Libertadores, but they came up with the goods, defeating Millonarios 3-0 to progress into the next round after a second-place finish in Group E.

Tite's men will now shift their focus to the league, where they are already two points behind Atletico and Bahia, with 11 points from six matches.

The Rubro-Negro started the season brightly with victories over Atletico Goianiense and Sao Paulo in their opening two matches. However, two draws and a loss in the following three matches halted their momentum.

A 2-0 win over Corinthians in their last league outing saw the visitors end their three-match winless run, and they will now look to build on that when they visit Vasco da Gama.

Flamengo have recorded impressive results in their recent games against the hosts, but the last meetings between them ended in a draw.

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Team News

The only absentee for the home side is Paulinho who is suffering from a knee injury that is expected to keep him out until next month.

Pablo Vegetti has scored three times for the hosts in the league this season and will look to add to his tally when he leads the attack once again.

The visitors will be missing Ayrton and Leo Pereira, who are both sidelined with thigh injuries that are expected to keep them out until next month.

Pedro should lead the attack once again, while Giorgian de Arrascaeta provides support behind the striker.

Vasco da Gama possible starting lineup: Jardim; Victor, Maicon, Leo, Piton; Galdames Sforza; Adson, Payet, David; Vegetti

Flamengo possible starting lineup: Rossi; Varela, Bruno, Ortiz, Vina; De la Cruz, Allan; Gerson, Arrascaeta, Everton; Pedro

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We say: Vasco da Gama 0-2 Flamengo

Flamengo are the clear favorites in this one and their quality speaks for itself. The visitors have dominated this fixture in recent times and we expect them to continue their unbeaten streak against the hosts.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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