Fluminense vs Bragantino Prediction: Team News and Lineups Preview

The Brasileirão is back on Saturday and we take a trip to the capital as our South American expert  Nathan Joyes is here with his Fluminense vs Bragantino prediction, team news, lineups and fixtures preview. 

The Copa Libertadores winners underperformed domestically but their strong home form carried them up the table, while Bragantino’s surprise title charge whimpered up towards the end of the season.

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• Fluminense vs Bragantino Tip 1: Fluminense to Win
• Fluminense vs Bragantino Tip 2: Fluminense to Win Either half
• Fluminense vs Bragantino Tip 3: Jhon Arias Anytime Goalscorer

Fluminense vs Bragantino Prediction 1: Diniz ball to seal the win

Brazil, Brasileirão, Saturday, April 14th, 01:00 (UK)

The Maracana hosts its first Brasileirão game of the season as Fluminense hosts Bragantino. The home side underperformed domestically in the last campaign, but their home form was the third best in the league – only behind Palmeiras and Gremio.

Having collected 33 points from 19 matches, Fernando Diniz’s team flourished in front of their own fans, making it one of the more intimidating grounds to go to. Only Gremio and Botafogo won at the Maracana last season.

Diniz has managed to keep the vast majority of his squad together, which was rather unexpected with the amount of links Andre had to the Premier League.

A team heavily filled with experience, with a dash of up-and-coming young talent, Flu won’t lose many points at home if they can continue their position-less style of play which was so effective in 2023.

Bragantino are the first to face the Libertadores winners and having lost 2-1 in 2023, a repeat result looks likely. Having lost club captain Leo Ortiz, there’s a defensive vulnerability about the Red Bull owned club.

After losing their last three away matches, it’s difficult to know where the goals will come from to match Flu’s impressive attack. Thiago Borbas remains a threat, but with limited service, he could be in for a tough 90 minutes.

• Fluminense vs Bragantino Prediction 1: Fluminense to Win
• Best Odds: 2.10
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 7/10

Fluminense vs Bragantino Prediction 2: Magic at the Maracana

For those looking to potentially nail on a couple of winners from this column, Flu has been slightly overpriced to win just one-half against Bragantino.

Despite turning 36 in January, German Cano hammered home over 40 goals in all competitions last season, and the Argentine will once again be a nightmare for defenders to handle inside the box.

If Cano isn’t to feature, his apprentice, John Kennedy, looks ready to step up and capture the attention of European clubs this year. The Brazilian came alive in the latter stages of the Libertadores and is regarded as one of the deadliest finishers in South America; Bragantino may struggle to contain him.

With Diniz’s position-less style of play in the opponent’s half, it’s extremely difficult to mark players without being drawn out of position. Flu will look to put pressure on Bragantino’s fragile defence from the get-go, and the hosts should have enough to secure an early lead.

• Fluminense vs Bragantino Prediction 2: Fluminense to Win Either Half
• Best Odds: 1.70
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 8/10

Fluminense vs Bragantino Prediction 3: Colombian to deliver the goods

With there being no certainty as to who will lead the line, I’m steering towards a Colombian who has continued to impress over the last 18 months.

Jhon Arias, who operates on the right wing in an attacking 4-5-1 formation, scored seven goals in the league last campaign. Powerful, fast and one who enjoys being played in goal inside the full-back, the Colombian has often stepped up when called upon.

His brace in the Recopa Sudamericana final helped Fluminense turn around a 1-0 deficit vs LDU Quito, while he recently found the back of the net for Colombia vs Romania.

On penalty duty, and with Bragantino’s defence looking rather shaky, Arias may get an opportunity to step up from 12 yards and fire home at the Maracana once more.

• Fluminense vs Bragantino Prediction 3: Jhon Arias Anytime Goalscorer
• Best Odds: 4.00
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 5/10

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

Fluminense vs Bragantino Team News and Possible Lineups: Diniz may rotate

With Fluminense hosting Colo Colo midweek, we can expect to see a few rotations either within the starting XI or in the second half. With a hectic schedule on their hands, Diniz will need to utilise his squad as much as possible. The only major doubt with the starting XI will be whether or not German Cano or John Kennedy starts.

There’s another slight advantage for the hosts as Bragantino travels to Argentina to face Racing Club in the Sudamericana midweek. The travelling isn’t ideal before facing Flu at the Maracana.

Fluminense possible starting lineup:
Fabio; Diogo Barbosa, Felipe Melo, Thiago Santos, Samuel Xavier, Martinelli, Andre, Ganso, Arias, Keno, Kennedy

Bragantino possible starting lineup:
Cleiton; Juninho Capixaba, Luan Candido, Lucas Cunha, Nathan Mendes, Ramires, Jadsom Silva, Lincoln, Eduardo Sasha, Helino, Borbas

Match Stats: Recent history favours Flu

• Fluminense has won four of their last five matches at the Maracana vs Bragantino.
• The visitors have lost their last three domestic games, conceding six goals.
• Fluminense had the third best home record in the 2023 Brasileirão campaign.

Fluminense Fixtures: Mineiro fixture catches the eye

• Vs Bahia (A)
• Vs Vasco (H)
• Vs Cerro Porteno (A)
• Vs Corinthians (A)
• Vs Atletico Mineiro (H)

Bragantino Fixtures: Tough test in opening month

• Vs Vasco (H)
• Vs Corinthians (H)
• Vs Sp. Luqueno (H)
• Vs Fortaleza (A)
• Vs Flamengo (H)

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