Best odds: 9/4
Bookmaker:
Fluminense will be hosting Sao Paulo on Wednesday night, with both teams eyeing a crucial victory as the Brasileiro season nears its conclusion.
Currently, only one point separates these two clubs in the standings. Fluminense sits in eighth place, while Sao Paulo holds the 10th position. Both teams have at least one game in hand compared to some of the teams positioned above them in the league table.
Fluminense
On the back of winning the Copa Libertadores at the start of the month, the rest of the campaign may be somewhat of a blur for Fluminense with qualification for that competition having already been achieved for 2024.
However, coach Fernando Diniz will want to extend their recent resurgence as long as possible, the current three-game undefeated streak their longest since the end of August and early September.
With five points separating Fluminense and seventh-placed Athletico Paranaense, achieving that spot is in their sights, and they head into this encounter having most recently earned a 1-1 draw at Flamengo, who hold sixth position.
From Diniz s perspective, he faces an usual couple of days, taking charge of Brazil s World Cup qualifier against Argentina exactly 24 hours before this contest. Fortunately from his perspective, both these fixtures are taking place at the Maracana, enabling him to take to the dugout for the double-header.
Team News
Due to Nino s dismissal at Flamengo, Diniz faces the necessity of at least one change in the lineup, compounded by the defender s commitment to international duty with Brazil.
In light of this, veteran defender David Braz might step into the center of defense, but it s conceivable that the rest of the team could remain unchanged.
Despite Yony Gonzalez making an impact by scoring the equalizer after coming off the substitutes bench in the previous match, his appearance was short-lived due to an injury.
Sao Paulo
Similar to their hosts, Sao Paulo have secured qualification for the next season s Copa Libertadores by virtue of their 2023 Copa do Brasil victory. Nonetheless, they also maintain a desire to sustain their recent good form, having compiled a streak of four matches without a loss in the top-flight competition.
Under Dorival Junior s guidance, Sao Paulo have achieved two 1-0 victories against Cruzeiro and RB Bragantino, alongside away draws against Athletico Paranaense and Santos.
The team s aim is to secure seventh place in the league standings, which obviously means there s plenty of work for them to do at this point. Dorival is motivated to improve upon their ninth-place finish in 2022 and is eager to guide Tricolor Paulista to a higher position this season.
Team News
Yony Gonzalez made a significant impact by scoring the equalizer after coming off the substitutes bench in the previous match but was unfortunately withdrawn due to injury shortly after.
Sao Paulo is anticipated to make minimal changes to their starting lineup, although the team s selection has been affected by various international call-ups. Notably, Nahuel Ferraresi, Robert Arboleda, and James Rodriguez are all unavailable.
As a potential replacement for Arboleda in the heart of the defense, Alan Franco could step in to fill that position.
Conclusion
Both teams enter this match on a streak of at least two games without a loss in the league, indicating a potentially competitive encounter. Fluminense, having secured Copa Libertadores success, might play without the burden of pressure.
However, it s likely that Sao Paulo will approach the game with confidence, aiming to secure at least a draw. Therefore, the visitors should have enough momentum and strength to earn a share of the points in this fixture.
Verdict: Draw
Best odds: 9/4
Bookmaker:
