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Sports Mole previews Wednesday's Brasileiro clash between Bragantino and Flamengo, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Estadio Cicero de Souza Marques will host a six-pointer in the Brasileiro title race on Wednesday, with Bragantino set to face off against Flamengo.

Massa Bruta will be looking to get back to winning ways in midweek, while Mengao will be aiming for back-to-back victories.

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Match preview

Fernando Seabra's Bragantino enjoyed a strong run of form through early May and into the start of June, recording four wins, one draw and one defeat, but having won just one of their four matches since, it would be fair to say that they have stumbled.

On Sunday, Massa Bruta were beaten 1-0 on the road by Vitoria, and the manager will be particularly disappointed with the fact that his team failed to score against their relegation-threatened opponents despite boasting a controlling 72% possession.

That defeat left Saebra's side third in the table, where their tally of 27 points has them six behind top-of-the-tree Cruzeiro.

As they hope to gain ground in the title race, the hosts will need to defy their home record considering that they have only triumphed in two of their last five league games on their own turf.

Three points would put them level with their visitors in second place, but another defeat could see them fall nine behind the league leaders in a worst-case scenario.

Meanwhile, Filipe Luis's Flamengo are also in mixed form, having won two, drawn one and lost two of their last five games across all competitions.

This past weekend, Mengao got back on track by beating CONMEBOL Libertadores hopefuls Fluminense 1-0, courtesy of a Pedro. strike five minutes from time.

Victory on Sunday took Luis's men clear of their opponents, and they remain second in the table with 30 points, three shy of first-placed Cruzeiro.

Knowing that three points could allow them to regain top spot in midweek, fans of the visitors would be forgiven for harbouring doubts given their club have won just two of their last eight away matches. 

A second straight win could lift Flamengo back to the summit thanks to their superior goal difference, but defeat could see the gap to first widen to six points.

Bragantino Brasileiro form:

Flamengo Brasileiro form:

Flamengo form (all competitions):

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Team News

Bragantino will be without striker Fernando, who has been absent since March due to a calf injury, so expect to see Isidro Pitta start up top on Wednesday.

Eric Ramires should be joined by Fabinho in the centre of the park, with Matheus Fernandes out with a calf issue of his own. 

Elsewhere, goalkeeper Fabricio has been dealing with a thigh problem and will miss the clash, so Cleiton should start between the sticks in his place.

As for Flamengo, they have a lengthy list of absentees to contend with, including left-back Alex Sandro, who picked up an injury against Sao Paulo on July 12.

Fellow left-back Ayrton Lucas will also sit out on Wednesday, as will midfielders Nicolas de la Cruz, who is lacking match fitness, and Erick Pulgar, who has a foot injury.

Winger Michael is also out of action this week, though Everton and Luis Araujo would likely start on the flanks regardless.

Bragantino possible starting lineup:

Cleiton; Sant'Anna, Henrique, Eduardo, Lopes; Ramires, Fabinho; Mosquera, Neves, Vincinho; Pitta

Flamengo possible starting lineup:

Rossi; Varela, Danilo, Ortiz, Pereira; Jorginho, Allan; Araujo, Arrascaeta, Everton; Wallace

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We say: Bragantino 1-1 Flamengo

 

Both of the teams have been in mixed form over recent weeks, and this could be a close-fought clash with high stakes.

Despite being desperate to avoid falling further behind the league leaders, Bragantino have been lacklustre at home, while Flamengo have found wins rare on their travels.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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