Flamengo vs Botafogo Prediction: Flamengo aims to beat its rival to climb to the top of the league

Two of Rio de Janeiro's top clubs meet at the Maracanã for another Carioca classic. Flamengo is in second place with seven points, the same as RB Bragantino, but with fewer goals scored. Botafogo is just behind in third place with six points. Flamengo has a good chance of taking the lead as Red Bull has a tricky away game with Fortaleza, who just beat Boca Juniors 4-2. The truth is that Botafogo could also go to the top in case of victory, but few believe that.

After 22 games, the Scarlet-Black finally lost this season. The 2-1 defeat in La Paz against Bolívar didn't surprise anyone who watched the match. The home side was superior throughout the 90 minutes. Tite opted to leave some key players in Brazil so that they would be in better physical condition for the classic, but that decision had consequences. The priority, at the moment, is the Brasileirão, but qualification for the Copa Libertadores knockout stage is far from being attained. A classic is just around the corner, and the Vulture wants to win and forget the defeat. Flamengo has won four and lost one game in the last five meetings between the two rivals.

The team has improved recently and picked up its consecutive third win. After two victories in the Brasileirão with Atlético Goianiense and Juventude, another one followed for the Copa Libertadores. It was against Universitario from Peru, and Botafogo won 3-1. It was three home games, but the team did its job. It seems that the players are assimilating coach Artur Jorge's ideas well. However, the team had a setback with the injury to Tiquinho Soares. Botafogo doesn't have many attacking options, and it will be hard to replace the striker, who will be out for six weeks. At this point, probably only the most passionate believe that the Glorioso can beat Flamengo at the Maracanã, but the truth is that anything can happen in a classic.

Flamengo is the favorite not only because it has the better team but also because some key players have been given a rest for this match. Botafogo also had a midweek game for the Copa Libertadores, like Flamengo, but Artur Jorge used his best players, unlike Tite. I'm backing the Mengão to win this classic.