Competition: Copa do Brasil
Market: Flamengo win
Odds: 7/10 @ Pribet
Turning their attention back to Copa do Brasil duties in the early hours of Friday, Flamengo will welcome Atletico Mineiro to the Maracana.
Starting with the hosts, springing a Club World Cup upset this summer as they booked a knockout stage spot, Flamengo are enjoying what has been a real purple patch. Finding a route back to the top of the Serie A table, Filipe Luis̢۪ side find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Last seen clinching a 1-0 victory against Friday̢۪s guests, the Mengao will be seeking a repeat performance here. Including another 1-0 win against bitter domestic rivals Fluminense on July 20th, the one-time Chelsea defender has seen his title contenders win their previous three showdowns against Serie A opposition by an aggregate score of 4-1. In fact, on what has become quite the flurry, Flamengo have 18 points from their last seven top-flight appearances. Getting their Copa do Brasil adventure underway in the early hours of Friday, it should also be highlighted that Luis̢۪ camp have not suffered a single domestic defeat in front of their own supporters across any competition since the end of January.
As for the visitors, hit with that 1-0 loss when they travelled to the Maracana last time out, Atletico Mineiro are enduring what has become a worrying rut. Watching their Copa Sudamericana adventure come to a heartbreaking end at the hands of Colombian outfit Bucaramanga, Cuca̢۪s men have lost four of their previous five appearances across all competitions. Tumbling down the Serie A standings, the one-time Santos boss will also have a mounting headache over his side̢۪s continued issues on the road. Including an action-packed 3-2 loss against Palmeiras on July 20th, Atletico have lost all of their previous three domestic showdowns away from the Arena MRV by an aggregate score of 5-2. It should also be highlighted, the Halo have registered just a single away victory against Serie A opposition over the past couple of months. Given what has been a huge recent gulf in class between Friday̢۪s opponents, we are backing a home victory this weekend.
Bet: Flamengo 7/10 to beat Atletico Mineiro in Friday’s Copa do Brasil tie @ Pribet