Flamengo vs São Paulo Prediction: Team News and Lineups Preview

The Brasileirão moves onto a midweek round as our South American expert  Nathan Joyes provides his Flamengo vs Sao Paulo prediction, team news, lineups and fixtures preview. 

The favourites to win the competition required a 102nd minute to win on Sunday which landed two bets for Nathan, while Sao Paulo fell to defeat vs Fortaleza on home soil.

Fancy a sneak peak into the Brazilian Serie A outrights? Look no further: Brazil Serie A Outright Preview.

• Flamengo vs São Paulo Tip 1: Flamengo and Over 1.5 Match Goals
• Flamengo vs São Paulo Tip 2: Pedro First Team Goalscorer
• Flamengo vs São Paulo Tip 3: André Silva Last Team Goalscorer

Flamengo vs São Paulo Prediction 1: Magic at the Maracana

Brazil, Brasileirão, Thursday, April 18th, 01:30 (UK)

Tite’s Flamengo put on a late, late show to snatch all three points against Serie A new boys Atletico GO. An unstoppable free kick from Nicolas de la Cruz put Fla ahead before Luiz Fernando’s towering header levelled it up.

However, a rash decision from Maguinho saw him sent off for an elbow inside the box, allowing Pedro to roll the ball home from 12 yards.

Unlike the league favourites, São Paulo didn’t have a good opening week under their new head coach. Fortaleza ruined the party with two second half strikes but deserved the victory as Thiago Carpini attempts to get used to his new surroundings.

A trip to the Maracana is never ideal, and although Fla were slow into stride, their quality shone through against Atletico GO and it should do so again in round two.

The visitors will look to overcrowd the midfield and make life tough for Tite’s side to find any rhythm, but Fortaleza easily picked through them in round one. If Fla finds their groove, they’ll prove difficult to stop with all their superstars on show.

Carpini has never managed at this level, and against Tite, the former Brazilian coach should teach him a lesson.

• Flamengo vs São Paulo Prediction 1: Flamengo and Over 1.5 Match Goals (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 1.90
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 7/10

Flamengo vs São Paulo Prediction 2: Same again from star striker

It may feel as though my Flamengo columns are proving to be repetitive when it comes to selecting Pedro, but he’s delivered two winning bets in a row and I can’t abandon him now.

Despite a star studded squad, Fla very much depends on Pedro to score goals but that’s exactly what he does. Arguably one of, if not, best strikers in the league, with the best midfielders in behind, he’s going to find the back of the net more often than not – especially as he takes penalties.

His 102nd minute winner from the spot landed us a lovely 2.60 winner vs Atletico GO, but I’ve squeezed more juice out of his next bet.

Back at home, against a defence which didn’t convince in round one, Pedro will be looking to score in three games in a row – and make it six goals in his last six matches.

Pedro to fire home first for Flamengo, no matter if Sao Paulo score first, is priced at 3.0 and with the Brazilian in the form of his life at present, he can’t be ignored.

• Flamengo vs São Paulo Prediction 2: Pedro First Team Goalscorer
• Best Odds: 3.00
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 6/10

Flamengo vs São Paulo Prediction 3: Big priced selection catches the eye

For those looking to take a swing at a bigger price, the visitors have brought in a new striker who has impressed during his two cameo appearances – and I’ve certainly liked the look of him.

Andre Silva was signed in the off-season after impressing in Portugal for Guimaraes, where he scored 10 league goals in 22 appearances last campaign.

Purchased for just over £3m, Silva will expect to play but has had to be patient in the early stages of the season. However, a 20 minute cameo vs Cobresal in the Libertadores saw the Brazilian striker break the deadlock when others had struggled.

The same happened vs Fortaleza, where the striker came on in the 76th minute and hit a wonderful striker from outside the box just nine minutes later.

There isn’t much more Silva can do at present, and if Sao Paulo are to score or are searching for a late goal, Carpini may have little choice but to turn to his new signing once again.

• Flamengo vs São Paulo Prediction 3: André Silva Last Team Goalscorer
• Best Odds: 6.50
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 5/10

Flamengo vs São Paulo Prediction odds via bet365 as at 09:00, April 8th, 2024. Odds may now differ.

Flamengo vs São Paulo Team News and Possible Lineups: Tite may rotate his front line

With fixtures already coming thick and fast, Tite will always look to play his strongest XI. However, Bruno Henrique has impressed in his cameo appearances off the bench, and he may be eyeing up a starting spot on either wing.

São Paulo, as mentioned, may soon have to bring Andre Silva back in to lead the line after two impressive goals in the last week. If neither Luciano or Jonathan Calleri impress against Flamengo, Carpini will have to rethink his plan going forward.

Flamengo possible starting lineup:
Rossi; Varela, Bruno, Perreira, Lucas, Araujo, Everton, de Arrascaeta, de la Cruz, Pulgar, Pedro

Sao Paulo possible starting lineup:
Rafael; Diego Costa, Robert Arboleda, Ferraresi, Michel Araujo, Pablo Maia, Alisson, Galoppo, Igor Vinicius, Luciano, Jonathan Calleri

Match Stats

• Flamengo are unbeaten in their last 20 matches in all competitions.
• Sao Paulo have only won two of their last five games, losing the other three.
• Pedro has scored five goals in his last five matches, including twice from the penalty spot.

Flamengo Fixtures: Champions up next

• Vs Palmeiras (A)
• Vs Bolivar (A)
• Vs Botafogo (H)
• Vs Bragantino (A)
• Vs Palestino (A)

São Paulo Fixtures: Tough away days in Libertadores

• Vs Atletico GO (A)
• Vs Barcelona (A)
• Vs Palmeiras (H)
• Vs Vitoria (A)
• Vs Cobresal (A)

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