Fluminense vs Flamengo Prediction: Fla-Flu to heat the Maracanã

The two rivals meet again at the Maracanã two weeks later. In a game that virtually decided the Copa Guanabara, Flamengo won 2-0 and outplayed its old enemy, confirming first place. In the following round, Fluminense again lost a classic, this time to Botafogo, 4-2. This surprising result dropped Fernando Diniz's team to fourth place, thus dictating a rematch with Flamengo in the semi-finals when a final between these two great clubs seemed inevitable.

Despite two straight defeats in the Carioca against rivals, the victory against Liga de Quito in the Recopa Sudamericana was secured, which was undoubtedly the club's priority. What wouldn't have been in coach Fernando Diniz's plans was dropping to fourth place. As well as now having to eliminate the best team in the competition, at least so far, Fluminense will also have an extra difficulty. In the event of an equal aggregate score in the two legs, Flamengo will have the advantage, according to the competition's rules, benefiting the team that finished higher in the league stage. In addition, Samuel Xavier, André, and Douglas Costa will not be able to play.

The Scarlet-Black won the Copa Guanabara, the trophy awarded to the top-placed team in the Carioca first stage. With eight wins, three draws, 23 goals scored, and only one conceded, the Flamengo team assembled by Tite for this season looks much more solid than the side that finished the Brasileirão 2023 in fourth place. With an advantage in the event of a draw in the two semi-final matches, Flamengo is the favorite to reach the Carioca final. Fluminense, however, is always a dangerous opponent, even though it seems far from its best.

Both teams usually play at the Maracanã, but this time, most of the fans will be for Fluminense, the host side. In a two-legged semi-final, it's unlikely that the first leg will decide which team will go to the final. I even doubt that the teams will risk too much, especially Flamengo. With an advantage in the event of an equal aggregate score, a draw is a result that interests Tite more than Diniz. Flamengo is in good form, and Fluminense also has some absentees, which makes me lean for a draw.