São Paulo vs Flamengo Prediction: Team News and Lineups Preview

There’s a full round of Brasileirão fixtures over the weekend and our South American expert, Nathan Joyes, returns to provide his São Paulo vs Flamengo prediction, team news, lineups and fixtures preview. 

• São Paulo vs Flamengo Tip 1: São Paulo Asian Handicap 0.0
• São Paulo vs Flamengo Tip 2: São Paulo double chance and under 3.5 goals
• São Paulo vs Flamengo Tip 3: Lucas Moura to score anytime

São Paulo vs Flamengo Prediction 1: A hunch for the hosts

Brazil, Brasileirão, Sunday, August 4th, 01:30 (UK)

The hosts have lost just once at home, while Flamengo have the best away record in the league. And while everything points towards a draw, this could be a potential banana skin for the visitors.

Luis Zebeldia has a cup match against Goias to deal with first, however, Fla face Palmeiras in what will be a much tougher game. There could be some tired legs heading into Sunday’s clash.

Out of their last five matches at home, São Paulo have won four, beating Gremio, Bragantino and Bahia to nil, whilst holding Botafogo to a 2-2 draw. At home, on their narrow pitch, they are difficult to break down.

Flamengo have kept just two clean sheets in their last ten matches and have proven vulnerable at times. They may have the best away record, but if the hosts can keep Pedro quiet, they have every chance of recording their third win against Flamengo in their last six games.

• São Paulo vs Flamengo Prediction 1: São Paulo Asian Handicap 0.0
• Best Odds: 1.91
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 7/10

São Paulo vs Flamengo Prediction 2: Tight affair

Instead of steering towards the draw, I’m preferring to stick with the hosts to maintain their solid home form. Holding both title contenders Palmeiras and Botafogo on home soil are arguably their standout results, in amongst several convincing victories.

On the road, improvement is required, something the club struggled with last season, too – but at home it’s becoming a fortress. In their ten matches in front of their own fans, Sao Paulo have only conceded eight goals. 

Eight clean sheets across all competitions is rather impressive considering their hectic schedule.

Flamengo don’t enjoy facing them, either. Winning just one of their last five head-to-heads, including losing the Copa do Brasil final to them, Tite’s side have found it difficult to break them down.

Only one of those last five matches has produced three goals, and once again it looks like it could be a cagey match as both teams wait to pounce on a mistake. Flamengo are flying high, but even Tite would be satisfied with a point on Sunday.                   

• São Paulo vs Flamengo Prediction 2: São Paulo double chance and under 3.5 goals
• Best Odds: 1.75
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 7/10

São Paulo vs Flamengo Prediction 3: More magic from Moura

Lucas Moura returned to his boyhood club last year and has settled in as one of their main players ever since. It often doesn’t work when players return towards the end of their career, but the ex-Spurs midfielder won the Copa do Brasil (against Flamengo) and has continued to score goals.

Having scored three in his last five matches, including two goals in back-to-back home matches, Moura sat out of their clash with Fortaleza due to his accumulation of yellow cards.

Well rested, the 31-year-old will relish facing Flamengo, the team he scored his first goal against when he returned to Brazil. Operating in a three man midfield, Moura has the licence to roam forward and support his striker, which often creates shooting opportunities from range.

Also on penalty duty, this is another tick for our final bet in what should be a cracking game for the neutral.

• São Paulo vs Flamengo Prediction 3: Lucas Moura to score anytime
• Best Odds: 5.50
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 5/10

São Paulo vs Flamengo Prediction odds via bet365 as at 17:30, July 30th, 2024. Odds may now differ.

São Paulo vs Flamengo Possible Lineups: Moura back in the XI

Sao Paulo possible starting lineup:
  Rafael; Wellington, Franco, Arboleda, Vinicius, Moura, Gustavo, Bobadilla, Ferreirinha, Luciano, Silva

Flamengo possible starting lineup:
Cunha; Lucas, Luiz, Ortiz, Varela, Pulgar, Gerson, de Arrascaeta, Araujo, Everton, Pedro

São Paulo vs Flamengo Match Stats

• Flamengo has only beaten the hosts once in their last five head-to-heads.
• Lucas Moura has scored three goals in his last five matches.
• Sao Paulo has only lost one of their home games all season.

São Paulo Fixtures

• Vs Goias (A)
• Vs Atletico GO (H)
• Vs Nacional (A)
• Vs Palmeiras (A)
• Vs Nacional (H)

Flamengo Fixtures

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

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