Campeonato Brasileiro preview round 24

Flu reserve keeper Diogo could be in for a busy afternoon

With Brazil in action against Chile on Sunday, we have just one game this weekend and that’s at the estádio Maracanã where Fluminense take on leaders Grêmio.

Since Cuca’s arrival, Fluminense have shown signs of improvement and despite going four games unbeaten, Cuca’s team are still only a point above the relegation zone.

With a woeful record of only six wins this season, it’s no surprise to learn that Flu had spent 19 of 23 rounds in the bottom four. But maximum points on Saturday will see them go above Vasco and Santos.

Flu have won 6 of the 15 meetings in Rio in the Brasileiro between these two. Grêmio have won 5 times. But you have to go back to 1993 for the last time the Porto Alegre team beat Flu in the Maracanã. However, it’s 4 years since Fluminense took maximum points off Grêmio and that occurred in a 3-2 victory in the estádio Olímpico.

Grêmio have now led the championship for ten rounds. The league leaders have the best defence with only 16 conceded in 23 games – including 11 clean sheets – and the best attack with 40 goals alongside Palmeiras and Flamengo.

Saturday represents another chance for Celso Roth’s men to go 8 points clear. With the best away record in the championship (5 wins, 3 draws, 3 losses), the game vs strugglers Fluminense looks like an excellent opportunity to break away from the chasing pack. Interestingly, Grêmio’s 3 away defeats have all come in Rio (1-2 Vasco, 0-2 Botafogo, 1-2 Flamengo), so this may not be an easy ride for the would-be champions.

Team news: Flu are without their injured keeper Fernando Henrique. Diego should start. Grêmio leftback Anderson Pico was a doubt but makes the starting line-up. Up front, midfielder Souza is expected to be paired with Marcel as Perea is injured.

Goal average: 2.0

Kick off: Saturday 6^th September – 18:20 Brasilia

Round 24 actually got underway on Wednesday. Flamengo were in action away at Figueirense and their 3-2 win lifted them back into the top four for the first time since round 16. Goiás hammered Atlético Paranaense 4-0 and continue to climb up the table. Straight after, coach Mário Sérgio lost his job and was replaced by Atlético old boy, Geninho.  São Paulo dropped more points after a 1-1 draw at Atlético Mineiro. For the opener, Marcos put the ball into his own net but the goal was given to São Paulo’s Borges. Atlético drew level with another own goal. This time Rodrigo steered the ball past Rogério Ceni. But once again the goal went to an opposition player; this time Márcio Araújo. Two goals from Kléber Parreira against Vitória lifted Santos out of the bottom four for the first time since round 4. The forward leads the Brasileiro with 17 goals to his name.

On Thursday, Palmeiras may have seen their title hopes disappear down the tube when they suffered a shock 3-0 home loss to Sport. Ex Palmeiras man, Roger, came back to haunt his old club with a brace. Durval grabbed the other as Palmeiras succumbed to their first loss in the Palestra Itália this season.

Cruzeiro moved into 2^nd following their 3-1 away win at Vasco. The Rio team had Jonílson and then keeper, Tiago, sent off. With all three changes made, Edmundo went in goal but couldn’t stop Guilherme’s penalty.

On Saturday, there’s an intriguing match as Coritiba host Botafogo in the Couto Pereira and a crucial bottom of the table clash between Náutico and Ipatinga in the estádio Aflitos.

See the table, fixtures and all the Campeonato Brasileiro round 24 results here