Nova Iguaçu vs Flamengo Prediction: Underdog Nova Iguaçu will try to surprise

It's the first time Nova Iguaçu reached the Carioca final, and this feat has been achieved in all fairness. The Baixada's Clockwork Orange finished the Carioca league stage in second place with just one defeat against Fluminense and eliminated Vasco da Gama in the semi-finals. It's clear that Flamengo is the favorite for this final, but based on what Nova Iguaçu has been showing, Tite's team will have to be at its best in both games.

In the semi-final second leg, Vasco da Gama had to win to reach the final after drawing the first game, but in the end, Nova Iguaçu emerged victorious. The only goal of the game was scored by Bill in the 75th minute, which froze the Maracanã stands full of Vasco da Gama fans. Nova Iguaçu already knows what it's like to play in Rio de Janeiro's mythical stadium, so it won't be surprised by the atmosphere in the final. The Baixada team has already faced Flamengo this season, and the game ended in a draw.

The Vulture is forced to win the Carioca this year, after two consecutive defeats in finals against rival Fluminense. This is the sixth time in a row that Flamengo has reached the Carioca final, a competition it has won 37 times making it the club with the most wins. Tite's team has been doing very well, with a solid collective and a very secure defense. The Scarlet-Black hasn't conceded a goal in eleven matches and has broken a club record, which previously stood at ten games in a row without its opponents scoring. This is the first leg of the final, but Flamengo will certainly want to take a lead into the second leg.

Flamengo is the favorite to win the Carioca, but the final has two legs, so normally things won't be decided before the second match. The odds for a Flamengo victory are low and that would be my bet if the reward was higher, but I'm going to bet on a game with a maximum of two goals. Both teams concede few goals and it's a final, so it could be a more tactical contest.