Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker:
Hoping to make up some ground in the Serie A title chase, Flamengo will travel to the Barradao when they meet Vitoria in the early hours of Thursday.
Vitoria
Starting with the hosts, while Vitoria might have stormed their way to a Serie A return this season, Thiago Carpini’s side have a real battle on their hands this time around. Already battling it out in the drop zone and tipped as a leading candidate to be hit with an immediate second-tier return, the former Sao Paulo boss could also find some mounting pressure on his shoulders. Last seen over the weekend putting in another worrying performance as they fell to a routine 2-0 defeat at the hands of Gremio, the Bahia-based outfit will be bracing themselves for a heavyweight challenge here. Signing off June with a 1-0 loss at home against Athletico-PR, Vitoria have lost all of their last three Serie A appearances by an aggregate score of 6-1. With their extended blip underlined by a 3-1 defeat away at Fortaleza on July 18th, it should also be highlighted that Carpini’s side have lost five of their previous six outings.
Team News
Still dealing with a long-term injury issue, Vitoria will once again be unable to call upon 30-year-old defender Camutanga here. Likewise, dealing with another setback last month and not making a single appearance throughout July, former Guarani midfielder Rodrigo Andrade is not expected to feature in the early hours of Thursday.
Although former Cruzeiro youngster Daniel Junior might have made another second-half cameo appearance during last weekend’s 2-0 loss against Gremio, the 22-year-old will have to settle for a spot on the bench. Despite notching just a sole Serie A strike so far this season, Janderson will once again partner ex-Bragantino striker Alerrandro in the final third.
Flamengo
As for the visitors, making an immediate return to winning ways last weekend as they secured a 2-1 victory at home against Criciuma, Flamengo will be smelling the chance to make another statement here. Opening July with an action-packed 4-2 victory away at Atletico-MG, Tite’s men have suffered just a pair of defeats from any of their previous 15 consecutive appearances across all competitions. With that extended purple patch stemming all the way back to May 8th, the former Brazil boss should find the mood in his camp at a real high. Looking to make up some ground in the Serie A title chase here, Flamengo have also gained a reputation for their rugged performances on the road. In fact, Thursday’s guests have suffered just a sole domestic defeat on their travels since the start of December. Storming their way to another Copa Libertadores ticket this season, Tite’s side will believe that they have been handed a golden opportunity in midweek.
Team News
Missing out against Criciuma last weekend, one-time Wolfsburg striker Bruno Henrique is not expected to feature. However, after serving a one-match suspension, ex-Eintracht Frankfurt youngster Allan will return to Flamengo’s squad in the early hours of Thursday.
While there might have been plenty of speculation that Brazil international Gabriel Barbosa could be set for a summer move away from the Maracana, the 27-year-old will spearhead Flamengo’s charge here. Former Chelsea defender David Luiz will once partner Fabricio Bruno at the heart of Tite’s defence.
Key Factors to Consider
