Preview: Flamengo vs. Corinthians - prediction, team news, lineups

Flamengo will look to stretch their unbeaten run to seven league games on Thursday, when they welcome Corinthians to the Maracana.

An eye-catching run of form in recent months has seen the Rubro-Negro climb to second spot in the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A table, while their hosts sit in fifth after an impressive run of their own.

Match preview

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After a mixed start, Flamengo have been one of the standout teams in the Brazilian top flight in the second half of the season, climbing into the top two thanks to an eye-catching run of results.

Since mid-August, the Rubro-Negro have won 10 of their 18 league outings, collecting 36 points in the process, and they have now gone six games without a loss and head into Thursday on the back of consecutive wins.

Renato Gaucho's side bounced back from a draw with strugglers Chapecoense by convincingly beating Bahia 3-0, before they thrashed Sao Paulo 4-0 away from home on Sunday, with Michael hitting a brace after Gabriel Barbosa and Bruno Henrique had put them two goals ahead inside five minutes.

With seven league games left to play, the defending champions trail league leaders Atletico Mineiro by seven points, meaning that, while they are firm underdogs for the title, they still have plenty of time to apply pressure.

To do that, the Rubro-Negro will have to continue their fine form until the end of the campaign, starting with what would be a third straight league win on Thursday.

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They welcome another of the league's form teams as Corinthians arrive with three wins from their last four games in the Brazilian top flight.

After a relatively strong and consistent season, the visitors have found another gear in recent weeks, having firstly recorded 1-0 wins over Chapecoense and Fortaleza to leapfrog the latter in the table.

Following a defeat to Atletico Mineiro, the Timao bounced back last time out, defeating Cuiaba 3-2 in a dramatic clash thanks to goals from Giuliano, Renato Augusto and Roger Guedes.

As a result of their impressive form, Sylvinho's men have climbed into the top six, putting them in a good position to earn entry into Copa Libertadores qualification next season, while they will now turn their focus upwards, as they will earn automatic progression to the group stage if they can bridge a two-point gap and break into the top four.

Team News

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Flamengo have largely kept a relatively unchanged side throughout the recent run, and we should not expect too many alterations to the XI on Thursday.

Key attacker Giorgian De Arrascaeta remains out through injury, but winger Michael has stepped up in style, hitting a brace last time out and complementing the front two of Gabriel Barbosa and Bruno Henrique.

Andreas Pereira and Willian Arao form an impressive midfield pairing, while experienced Brazil defender David Luiz will handle business at the back following his switch from Arsenal.

Luiz's former Arsenal and Chelsea teammate Willian remains out of action for the visitors, leaving Roger Guedes and Gabriel Pereira to operate on the flanks.

Skillful midfielder Giuliano offers plenty of threat, and he will continue to support lone striker Jo.

Flamengo possible starting lineup:
Souza; Matheuzinho, Caio, Luiz, Rene; Ribeiro, Arao, Pereira, Michael; Henrique, Barbosa

Corinthians possible starting lineup:
Cassio; Fagner, Gil, Victor, Piton; Pereira, Giuliano, Gabriel, Augusto, Guedes; Jo

We say: Flamengo 2-1 Corinthians

Despite Corinthians finding a winning streak of their own, we simply cannot look past Flamengo in any game they play in at the minute.

The hosts are playing at the peak of their powers, and they know there is no room for error if they are to keep their slim title hopes alive.

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