League Leaders Aim to Continue Good Start in Brazil
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The Brazilian Serie A season is only seven games in but we already have the makings of a very close battle at the top of the table this year.
As things stand prior to the matches this week, Flamengo top the table on 14 points but there is just 1 point between them and Fluminense, Atletico Mineiro and Sao Paulo. This week, Flamengo hope to extend their lead when they welcome Bahia to the Estádio Luso-Brasileiro, in Rio de Janeiro.
Bahia begin the game in the bottom half of the table, just 2 points clear of the relegation zone and a win in this match would be a huge boost to their season.
Flamengo come into this game on the back of a very good 1-0 win away win at Atletico Mineiro. The hosts were 2 points clear of Flamengo ahead of the match but a single goal from Everton Ribeiro with just 10 minutes remaining on the clock was enough to seal the points for the away team.
That result means Flamengo are unbeaten in their last four games in all competitions, picking up a win and a draw in Brasilian Serie A and the same results in the Copa Libertadores.
Trends show Flamengo are a strong team at home and they have lost only three of their last twenty-two home matches in Serie A. Defensively they have also been good and have kept 5 clean sheets in their last seven home league games.
Flamengo have seen under 2.5 goals in each of their last three home Brasilian Serie A matches.
Bahia make the trip to Rio having picked up a good 3-0 home win over Vasco da Gama in their previous league game. It was a strong performance against a team who were 3 points above them prior to kick-off and was Bahia’s second win of the season.
Their previous win came at home against Santos back in April and since then trends show Bahia have won only one of their five Serie A games. There have been two defeats at Sporting Recife and Palmeiras and draws at home against Atletico PR and Sao Paulo.
Trends show Bahia have been struggling away from home for some time in Brasilian Serie A and have won only three of their last twenty-two matches on the road. Recently they have been struggling for goals away from home and have failed to find the back of the net once in their last three away league games.
Looking ahead to the team news and Flamengo could be without three defenders as Rever, Juan and Para are on the treatment table. Orlando Berrio and Geuvanio are also unlikely to take any part in the match due to injury.
Marco Antonio misses the game for Bahia with an injury while defender Rodrigo Becao and forward Edigar Junio are back in contention but may be forced to settle for a place on the bench. Douglas is expected to return in goal.
Given the home and away form of the teams respectively, it is difficult to see anything other than a win for Flamengo. They could take all 3 points and keep a clean sheet in the process.
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