RB Bragantino vs Flamengo Prediction: The Cariocas are under pressure

Flamengo is a giant club, but that doesn't always make things easier. If having more fans, more money, and a higher ability to attract the best players are unquestionable advantages, the pressure exerted on a big club is also proportional to its size. The home defeat against Botafogo in the last round caused great dissatisfaction among the Scarlet-Black fans, which is evident in the Copa do Brasil match with Amazonas.

With no pressure from the fans, RB Bragantino continues its path of consolidated growth in Brazilian football. The Massa Bruta is in third place with eight points, the same as Atlético Mineiro, who is second and one behind leader Botafogo. In their last outing, Red Bull drew 1-1 in Fortaleza and seemed more ambitious than the Ceará side. In the Copa do Brasil, Bragantino disappointed against Sousa, drawing 1-1 away in the first leg, but the Série D team played almost an hour with ten players. Pedro Caixinha's team has the second leg to rectify, but now the focus is on the next meeting with the Mengão. Last season, the Bragança Paulista side beat Flamengo 4-0 in one of the most memorable matches of the Série A 2023.

At the Maracanã, amid applause for Gabriel Barbosa's return after 45 days out and whistles for Tite and the team, Flamengo won 1-0 against Amazonas, who competes in the Série B. It was a somewhat lackluster display from the Cariocas, who hadn't won in three matches, irritating the crowd in the stands. The Vulture started the season well, with a Campeonato Carioca title win, but since the Brasileirão began, the performances have declined, perhaps due to the intense match schedule. Everton, Pulgar, and Arrascaeta are injured and won't play against Bragantino. Flamengo needs to win, but the players also need to improve the standard of their game if they wish to win back their legion of fans, used to seeing their club play attractive football. A bad result against Red Bull will intensify the pressure on the team.

Any outcome is possible in this match, depending heavily on how Flamengo performs. Last season, Bragantino won 4-0 with Sampaoli in charge of the Cariocas, but the team under Tite is strong defensively even when it doesn't play well. The game should be very tactical, and there's a good chance there won't be many goals. I will bet on a result with a maximum of two goals scored.