Flamengo and São Paulo will meet again this Wednesday, at 21:45 (Brasilia time), at Maracanã, for the return game of the semifinal of the Copa do Brasil.
In the first leg, Flamengo built a good lead by beating São Paulo 3-1 at Morumbi. The score forces the Paulistas to win by three goals to advance to the final. If they win by two goals, the definition will be on penalties. A simple win or draw puts the Cariocas in yet another decision.
Dorival Júnior will send to the field the so-called “Team of Cups”, which was responsible for giving new perspectives to Flamengo in the season. Without David Luiz and Léo Pereira, suspended last Wednesday against Vélez, and after saving Thiago Maia and Gabriel, who were suspended, the coach climbs for the eighth time the team that beat Tolima, Atlético-MG, Vélez, Corinthians twice, São Paulo and tied with Athletico-PR in knockout duels.
As the holders rested over the weekend (some only entered the second half against Corinthians), Rogério Ceni will enter the field at Maracanã with the strongest team. An exchange will be in the goal: Felipe Alves, who is not registered in the Copa do Brasil, will give way to Jandrei, who had lost his spot after failures.
Flamengo vs Sao Paulo Retrospect
Certainly, the teams faced each other 111 times. So, it has a very balanced confrontation, with 43 victories for Tricolor against 37 for Fla, in addition to 31 draws. Thus, in the artillery is also with São Paulo with 176 goals scored against 153 conceded.
Last 5 matches
Initially, Flamengo lives a great phase, having only two draws in the last games, with Ceará and Goiás. But, he beat Botafogo and Velez Sarsfield twice for the Copa Libertadores da América. On the other hand, São Paulo has been fluctuating a lot, where they lost to Flamengo in the first leg of the Copa do Brasil, Fortaleza in the Brasileirão and Atlético-GO in the first leg of the Copa Sulamericana semifinal. In addition, they drew with Cuiabá but, in the return game of the Copa Sulamericana, they beat Atlético-GO 2×0 in normal time and won on penalties.
Both Teams Score – Yes
Due to the decisive factor of the confrontation, it is likely that the teams will be able to score more than two goals in the match. A very busy game is expected. Flamengo is going through a good phase defensively. But, they will have to deal with a strong attack from São Paulo that is willing to score to fight for the classification.
More than 10 corners: it is likely that we will have more than 10 corners in the match.
