Preview: Flamengo vs. Gremio – prediction, team news, lineups

League leaders Flamengo will be hoping to extend their stay at the top of the Brasileiro table when they host Gremio at the Maracana.

The home side are unbeaten in their last three matches, while the visitors head into this encounter having lost their last two league games.

Match preview

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Flamengo returned to league action in style after a three-week break, thrashing Vasco da Gama 6-1 with six different players getting on the scoresheet.

Tite‘s men found themselves behind early on after Pablo Vegetti‘s goal in the ninth minute, but they responded emphatically with goals from Everton, Pedro, and David Luiz before the game swung further in their favour with Joao Victor‘s red card for Vasco.

Giorgian De Arrascaeta, Bruno Henrique, and Gabriel Barbosa all found the net in the second half to complete a dominant performance for the Rubro-Negro, who climbed to first place with 14 points. They are level on points with second-placed Bahia but lead on goal difference.

Flamengo will be looking to build a winning run to solidify their position at the top as they seek a third consecutive league victory when they host Gremio. However, it is worth noting that they lost their last home league game against Bragantino.

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Gremio have had a busy start to June, playing three matches within eight days, two of which were Copa Libertadores fixtures.

The Imortal Tricolor needed a win against Estudiantes to secure top spot in their group but were held to a 1-1 draw, ultimately finishing second and still qualifying for the knockout stages.

However, their domestic form has not been so rosy. Gremio have lost two league games on the bounce, first falling 1-0 to Bahia before succumbing to a 2-0 defeat against Bragantino last time out. These results leave them languishing in 13th place with just six points from five matches.

Avoiding a third consecutive defeat will be the primary objective for Renato Gaucho‘s men when they travel to the Maracana. Interestingly, the last time they faced Flamengo, the Imortal Tricolor emerged victorious, ending a three-game losing streak in this fixture.

Flamengo Brasileiro form:

Flamengo form (all competitions):

Gremio Brasileiro form:

Gremio form (all competitions):

Team News

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Flamengo are going to be without up to five players who are away on international duty with their countries.

Erick Pulgar, Nicolas De La Cruz, Matias Vina, Guillermo Varela and De Arrascaeta are all away at the Copa America for the next couple of weeks.

The front three of Pedro, Gerson and Everton are expected to start in this clash while Luiz Araujo could come into the XI due to the absentees.

Gremio will be missing the services of Paraguayan midfielder Mathias Villasanti and Venezuelan forward Yeferson Soteldo, who have both been named as part of their country’s squad for the Copa America.

On the injury front, they will be without up to four players including Pedro Geromel, Andre Henrique, Lucas Mila, and Jhonata Robert.

Flamengo possible starting lineup:
Rossi; Wesley, Bruno, Ortiz, Vina; Lorran, Allan; Gerson, Araujo, Everton; Pedro

Gremio possible starting lineup:
Marchesin; Joao Pedro, Ely, Kannemann, Reinaldo; Pepe, Dodi; Pavon, Cristaldo, Carballo; Costa

We say: Flamengo 2-1 Gremio

Flamengo are the better team heading into this game, based on form and the league table. The home side are unbeaten at home so far while the visitors have lost both of their away games. We expect this to be close but the hosts should win this one.

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

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