Fluminense will take on Flamengo in the Brazilian Serie A on Thursday, 20 November as the run-in heats up in the Brazilian top flight.
Both sides have plenty to play for ahead of the final five matches of the season, with Flamengo in the driving seat in the title race and Fluminense chasing a place in next season's Copa Libertadores.
A win for the hosts here would blow the title race wide open, with Palmeiras trailing Flamengo by just three points.
How the bookies view it: Flamengo are favourites
Flamengo come into the match as the favourites with BoyleSports, although no result has been priced at odds-on. A victory for Fluminense has been priced at 11/4, while a win for Flamengo has been priced at 1/1. The draw, which wouldn't be a bad result for either side, has been priced at 2/1.
Head to head: Advantage Flamengo
Flamengo have a dominant recent record in the Flu-Fla derby, going unbeaten across their last four matches against Fluminense. To make matters worse for the hosts, they have only won one of their last 13 matches against Flamengo, so this group of Fluminense players won't have much confidence ahead of this one.
Players to watch: Return of De Arrascaeta
With several players set to miss out here due to international duty, the standout player on the pitch will be Flamengo forward Giorgian De Arrascaeta.
The 31-year-old has been the best player in Brazilian domestic football this season, scoring 17 league goals and providing a further 13 assists across his 30 appearances. As a result, the Uruguayan is averaging one goal contribution per match, and that record is a big reason why Flamengo are on course to win the title this season.
Looking to keep De Arrascaeta out is a Fluminense defence that have kept a clean sheet in four of their last five matches in all competitions. At the heart of this defence is former PSG and Chelsea defender, Thiago Silva, who has been a revelation this season, despite now being the wrong side of 40.
Silva has the guile and experience to keep De Arrascaeta quiet, but can his legs hold up in a foot race against the Uruguayan?
Predicted line-ups
Across both teams, seven players are expected to miss this match due to international duty. Although the break will be over by the time this match kicks off, none of the seven are expected to be back in time. On the injury front, Fluminense are without Facundo Bernal, German Cano, Manoel and Ganso, while Flamengo are missing Jorginho, Pedro, Allan and Leo Ortiz.
Fluminense: Fabio – Xavier, Silva, Freytes, Rene – Hercules, Martinelli – Serna, Acosta, Canobio – Everaldo
Flamengo: Rossi – Royal, Victor, Pereira, Lucas – Saul, Pulgar – Araujo, Wallace, Lino – De Arrascaeta
Anything else catch the eye?
While Flamengo have the best defensive record in the division, they have started to leak goals at more regular intervals in recent weeks. The league leaders have conceded five goals across their last three league matches, so there is every chance both teams get on the scoresheet on Thursday.
GambleAware