Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Brazilian Serie A match.
The headline fixture of matchday 15 in the Brazilian Serie A features a highly anticipated Rio de Janeiro derby as Flamengo face off against Fluminense. The Maracanã is set for a high-stakes clash, with both teams looking to recover from recent defeats.
Flamengo
Since resuming domestic duties following their FIFA Club World Cup campaign, Flamengo have produced inconsistent displays. A 2:0 win over São Paulo showcased their attacking efficiency, with a clear edge in xG (1.07–0.22). However, a 0:1 loss to Santos, who employed a defensively disciplined approach, highlighted their vulnerability in breaking down compact defences. The absence of key injured players Alex Sandro, Erick Pulgar, and Ayrton Lucas has hampered their forward momentum, contributing to a low-scoring pattern—only one of their last five matches has finished with a Total Under 2.5 goals.
Fluminense
Despite a change in leadership earlier in the season, Fluminense remain committed to a defensive, structured style of play. They reached the semi-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup, where they were defeated 0:2 by eventual winners Chelsea. In their most recent Serie A fixture, Fluminense suffered a 0:2 loss against current leaders Cruzeiro, despite creating 1.60 xG and registering 28 shots to their opponents’ eight.
Flamengo vs Fluminense Prediction
Previous meetings between Flamengo and Fluminense have generally been tight, low-scoring contests. Since May 2023, only one of their last 12 encounters has seen a Total Over 2.5 goals. With both teams keen to avoid further setbacks, another cautious match is expected on Sunday.
