Campeonato Brasileiro preview round 22

Will this be Nilmar's swan song for Inter?

We kick off round 22 of the Campeonato Brasileiro with Fluminense as they take on Sport Recife.

Cuca took charge of the strugglers last week and got off to a winning start against Atlético Mineiro.  On Wednesday, Cuca made it two in a row after Flu picked up their first away win of the season at Náutico. The coach has had an indifferent track record recently but a few years ago he took over Goiás in a similar position and almost secured them a place in the top four.

Though they have now climbed out of the bottom four, Fluminense have never really recovered from their defeat in the finals of the Libertadores against LDU. The Rio side have to put a good run together or they could be in for a bumpy ride until the end of the season.

Flu’s record at home is an average 5 wins, 2 draws, and 4 losses.

Sport Recife won this year’s Copa do Brasil and will be in next year’s Libertadores.

But since their triumph earlier this year, Sport have had an up and down time in the league and need to improve their standing in the table.  

Sport were away at Vitória during the week and managed a creditable 0-0 draw in Bahia, but they haven’t won in three games.

Nelsinho Baptista’s team have already lost 7 away (plus 2 wins and 2 draws) and perhaps the team from Recife would be more than happy to settle for a point on Saturday.

Fluminense will be missing the suspended Fabinho and Roger. Tartá is a doubt. Mauricio should be back. Sport are without Júnior Maranhão who picked up a third yellow midweek. Sandro Goiano is available once again.

Goal average: 2.2

Kick off: 23 August – 18:20

Ones to watch: Flu’s Washington scored three times vs Náutico midweek.

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For our second match of the weekend we head south for the clash between giants Internacional and Flamengo.

Both these sides were being tipped as potential champions at the start of the season. But while winning the league may be off the cards now, a place in the top four and next year’s Libertadores is still a possibility. 

Despite bringing in some big names such as D’Alessandro, Daniel Carvalho, Gustavo Nery and Rosinei, Inter have been a major disappointment and remain a long way off the pace-setters.

However, their midweek 4-1 thrashing of Palmeiras has brought some renewed belief. Inter’s home record is pretty decent. 7 wins, 2 draws, and 1 loss (Santos) makes the Beira-Rio a daunting place to go; especially when Sunday’s visitors have only won twice in their last 10 outings.

Flamengo were leaders of the Brasileiro for 10 rounds. But the sale of three first-teamers led to a downturn in fortunes and Fla have been on the back foot ever since.

However, Thursday’s 2-1 win over leaders Grêmio would have lifted the spirits. If Fla can take the three points and results elsewhere go their way, they could be back in the top four.

To try to reverse their slide down the table, Flamengo have just bought 6 new players including the 2007 Brasileiro top scorer, Josiel, and former Brazil man, Marcelinho Paraíba.

Fla haven’t won on the road since they beat Sport at the end of June. But in comparison to most teams in the Brasileiro, Flamengo’s away record of 3 wins, 4 draws, and 3 defeats, isn’t that bad.

However, Fla’s last win vs Inter in Porto Alegre was back in 2002. Surprisingly, they haven’t scored in the city (vs Inter or Grêmio) since 2003 (Inter 3-1 Flamengo).  

Team news: Tite may start with the team that beat Palmeiras 4-1, though Edinho may come in for Magrão. Aírton is doubtful for Fla.

Goal average: 2.2

Kick off: 24 August – 16:00

 

Ones to watch: Inter’s Nilmar (before he goes to Zaragoza for 14 million euros) Alex and D’Alessandro (easily the worst haircut in the Brasileiro). For Flamengo, Brazil’s new boy, Juan.

Elsewhere, three of the top four clubs take on bottom four opposition. Grêmio look to recover away at Náutico (18^th). Palmeiras (4^th) host Portuguesa (17^th). And Cruzeiro (2^nd) travel to Santos (19^th). Third-placed Botafogo would love to make it seven wins on the bounce away at neighbours Vasco. But perhaps the most intriguing match of the day is in the estádio Couto Pereira where Coritiba (7^th) take on São Paulo (5^th). Three points for the home side would see them go above São Paulo.  

See the table and all the matches here