Flamengo vs RB Bragantino Prediction: The Cariocas can’t lose points

After a very demanding game in La Paz, where it booked a ticket to the Copa Libertadores quarter-finals, Flamengo will host Bragantino in the Brasileirão. The Scarlet-Black must win to close the five-point gap to leader Botafogo.

The Mengão had won 2-0 at home to Bolívar in the first leg of the Copa Libertadores Round of 16, but the lead wasn't comfortable as playing at altitude in the Bolivian capital is by no means easy. Bolívar scored in the 57th minute, and the Brazilians had to suffer not to concede any more goals. The Cariocas will now face Penãrol in a South American classic. In the Brasileirão, Flamengo took a heavy blow in the last round by losing 4-1 away to leader and rival Botafogo. In the derby, Tite decided to rest some players for the game in La Paz, and the strategy went wrong. Beating Bragantino is a must. 

The Massa Bruta also had an international match in midweek for the Copa Sudamericana. The opponent was Corinthians, in a Brazilian duel decided by penalties. Corinthians proved more effective and qualified for the next round. Bragantino had lost 2-1 at home in the first leg and managed to win by the same score at the Neo Química Arena, showing great willpower. Red Bull is having a disappointing season and is in 12th place. The game with Flamengo will be complicated, and the Bragança Paulista side must play a perfect game to win.

Flamengo is in fourth place and can't afford to drop points at home. Tite's team is five points behind leader Botafogo after losing 4-1 to the rival in the last round. Flamengo aims to win the Brasileirão and the Copa Libertadores and is considered by many to be the team with the most talented players in South America. However, talent alone is not enough to win competitions. It takes a strong mentality and consistency to win trophies. Flamengo has lost its last two games and must do better against Bragantino. I'm betting on the Mengão to win.