Internacional vs Fluminense Prediction: After winning the Copa Libertadores, Fluminense is on cloud nine

Fluminense won the Copa Libertadores for the first time in its history, beating Boca Juniors 2-1 in extra time. It's the fifth year in a row that a Brazilian side has won the competition, after Flamengo and Palmeiras won two editions each. There were three teams from Péle's country in the semi-finals. In addition to Fluminense, Internacional and Palmeiras also reached that tournament stage, showing Brazilian dominance in the most important South American cup. This upcoming match in the Brasileirão will be a replay of one of the Copa Libertadores semi-finals, where Internacional and Fluminense met. Fluminense is on cloud nine and is going to Porto Alegre to win the game after having put the championship on hold to be at full strength for the final against Boca.

Internacional

The Colorado won 2-1 against Cruzeiro at the Mineirão and recovered three points from the five lost at home to Coritiba and América in the previous matches. The Porto Alegre team is in 11th place with the same 42 points as São Paulo and Fortaleza, 9th and 10th respectively. Internacional is in a position that qualifies the team for the Copa Sudamericana, but is still not completely out of danger of relegation. Five points separate the Gaúchos from the Z4. They will be looking to avenge their elimination from the Copa Libertadores against the team that knocked them out of the competition.

Fluminense

By winning the Copa Libertadores, the Cariocas have also secured their place in the next edition of the competition. Fluminense is in eighth place and, therefore, has no real aim other than to improve its position. With great confidence and absolutely no pressure, the Tricolor can have an excellent final phase of the championship. In this game, however, Fernando Dinis may use a secondary starting eleven due to the exhausting final against Boca. 

Expert Betting Tips

Since Fluminense isn't likely to field its best team, Internacional has a better chance of winning. The desire to avenge the defeat to Fluminense in the Copa Libertadores semi-finals should motivate the home team even more. I'm betting on Inter to win, with a maximum of five goals in the game to raise the odds a little.