Flamengo vs Atlético-MG Prediction: Surprisingly, one of these two teams could win the Brasileirão

If there were Academy Awards in football, the Brasileirão would undoubtedly win the award for best screenplay. Botafogo, which looked to have the title in its bag with a 13-point lead, collapsed. At the same time, Atlético Mineiro, in mid-table at the halfway point of the season, emerged at the end with legitimate title aspirations. Let's not forget that Scolari didn't win his first ten matches as coach of the Rooster, which shows how everything can change in football. The Mineiros are just three points behind Palmeiras and Flamengo, teams that now lead the competition.

If Atlético is surprisingly fighting for the title, nobody would have expected Flamengo to be in the lead, albeit a shared one, with three games to go in the Brasileirão. In Round 31, the Scarlet-Black lost at home to Santos and fell nine points behind Botafogo. At the end of Round 35, after beating América-MG 3-0, Flamengo finished one point ahead of its Carioca rival, which had led practically the entire competition. It's impossible to predict who will be Brazil's new champion, but this match will certainly clarify things a little. Erick Pulgar, suspended, cannot play.

The Rooster played a magnificent game against Grêmio in a meeting between two teams near the top of the table. The 3-0 victory left no doubt and will be very morale-boosting for the players, who will be going to the Maracanã to win. Atlético is very strong on the road, where it hasn't lost in six games, having recently won at difficult grounds such as Palmeiras and RB Bragantino. The Mineiros also have the best defense in the league, with 27 goals conceded. Three points behind leaders Palmeiras and Flamengo, a draw isn't enough for Atlético-MG because there are just two rounds to go after this match—only victory matters.

Anything can happen in this game, so I'm not betting on a winner. The Vulture, playing in a packed Maracanã, has a better chance of winning, but the Rooster isn't shy when playing away from home. My bet will be on a goal total lower than 2.5. It's risky, but it's a way of hitting on any winner if there are few goals.