Vasco da Gama vs Fluminense Prediction: Who will win the Classic of the Giants?

Botafogo's stadium will host a derby full of tradition. With the Maracanã unable to receive matches until the Copa do Brasil final, the Clássico dos Gigantes had to take place in a large venue, so the choice fell on the Nilton Santos Stadium. The two teams from Rio de Janeiro have met 330 times, with 120 wins for Vasco, 100 draws, and 110 wins for Fluminense. There were at least 11 games with more than 100,000 spectators, some even with more than 125,000 people. Impressive.

The Cruzmaltino needs points to get out of the difficult position in the table. Vasco is in 18th place with 17 points but one game in hand. Victories are needed to avoid a return to the Série B, where the team played last season. Despite the recent improvement with the arrival of coach Ramón Díaz, at the very least, the team must continue this run of form. Vasco has won two, drawn two, and lost only one in its last five games, so it has eight points out of a possible 15. After the derby with Fluminense, the Giant of the Hill faces Coritiba, América-MG, and Santos, the other three teams in the relegation places. A draw against rival Fluminense would be a positive result that would give Vasco's players confidence for the decisive games ahead.

In the last round, the Tricolor Carioca beat Fortaleza 1-0 at home with a goal near the end. It wasn't a great display, but the opposition was strong, and Fluminense had to play in Volta Redonda due to the Maracanã being closed. The three points allowed the team to maintain fifth place in the Série A. Only victory can matter in a Carioca derby to a team like Fluminense. Vasco doesn't have the same individual quality as Fluminense, but the players must prove it on the pitch. The Tricolor hasn't lost against Vasco da Gama since 2019, and this factor can give Fernando Diniz's side a psychological advantage.

Fluminense has more experience in big games, and Vasco da Gama may feel the pressure of badly needing points. In recent years, the Tricolor has taken the upper hand in the derby, and that's why I think it has a better chance of winning. Even so, I'm betting on a Double Chance in favor of Fluminense with a maximum of three goals in the match.