Boavista vs Fluminense Prediction: Fluminense leads the Carioca and its stars are back

To everyone's surprise, Fernando Diniz, the Fluminense coach, included his star players in the starting eleven for the game against Bangu. In the first four rounds, the team that the Tricolor fielded was always secondary due to the late vacations of the core players who had recently returned to training. Participation in the World Club Cup final against Manchester City overstretched the players' season. Nobody expected to see the key players against Bangu, but Diniz changed his plans.

After three wins in a row that sent the team to a high place in the table, Boavista suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat against Madureira. The Verdão de Saquarema must, above all, maintain the confidence shown in previous games; otherwise, the players will struggle if they doubt themselves against Fluminense. The team is in fifth place with nine points and has reasons to be satisfied with its performance. The Fluminense match will be difficult, but Boavista has already beaten Botafogo at home, so I believe in a display of character and a positive reaction to the last game's defeat.

The Tricolor is already playing with its best players who, although they don't yet have the ideal rhythm, will play to win another three points against Boavista and continue to lead the Guanabara Cup. In the 4-1 win against Bangu, Jhon Arias was outstanding, scoring two goals. The team went into the break trailing but managed to put in a good second half and ended up winning by a comfortable margin. Cano scored but was rather wasteful.

Fluminense is the favorite, but the physical issue may take some of the edge off the Tricolor, as its players will be playing only their second game of the season, a few days after the first 90 minutes against Bangu. Boavista beat Botafogo at home and can pose problems for the Copa Libertadores winners. Fluminense needs to score early in the game. Although I think Fluminense will win, I will bet on both teams to score.