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

Flamengo will look to extend their seven-game unbeaten streak on Monday and continue to place pressure on table-toppers Atletico Mineiro when they host Cuiaba.

However, the visitors ended their five-match run without a win during their most recent outing, and they shall now be searching for consecutive victories.

Match preview

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Flamengo have had a very strong season so far, which has led to them being involved in the title race at this point, and after seven games without a loss in all competitions, the belief will certainly be within the group.

Right now they are chasing Atletico Mineiro with an 11-point gap, but with two games in hand, anything is possible, which makes every single match a crucial one for the club.

Offensively, they have been the most dangerous team in the league this season, scoring 46 goals so far, while only the current league leaders can boast a better defensive record.

Across their last two games alone Flamengo have found the back of the net six times, which is something that the visitors will certainly be wary of.

Renato Gaucho's men secured a comfortable victory in their last outing, with a 3-1 win against Juventude, where they managed to score three times in the first half to wrap up the game.

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However, Cuiaba also head into this fixture on the back of a victory after they defeated Sport Recife 1-0, with a penalty from Elton Brandao getting them back to winning ways.

They had gone five games without earning three points before that match, with this being a crucial victory to keep their hopes of a top-six finish alive.

Currently, Jorginho's men are six points away from that, which is something they shall be trying to claw back as the season draws to a close.

Having gone three games undefeated, the squad will believe that it is possible to get a result on Monday in what is one of the toughest away trips of the season.

However, they will need to improve upon their performance the last time the two teams met, as Flamengo secured a comfortable 2-0 win that day with Pedro and Thiago Maia getting on the scoresheet.

Team News

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The hosts will be boosted by the returns of several key players heading into this game after international duty came to an end, and as long as they are all fit and sharp, it is likely that they will be in contention to return to the starting lineup.

Mauricio Isla, Gabriel Barbosa and Everton Ribeiro shall all be available once again, which will massively boost the squad depth.

However, Flamengo are dealing with some injuries to key players as well with David Luiz, Diego and Giorgian de Arrascaeta being out of action right now, but Gustavo Henrique was able to return to the bench in midweek.

The visitors named an unchanged XI for their most recent performance and considering that they produced a victory, it is unlikely that things will be switched here.

Flamengo possible starting lineup:
Alves; Henrique, Caio, Pereira, Luis; Maia, Arao; Kenedy, Pereira, Michael; Pedro

Cuiaba possible starting lineup:
Walter; Uendel, Empereud, Paulao, Lucas; Camilo, Clayson, Pepe, Auremir; Alves, Jenison

We say: Flamengo 3-0 Cuiaba

Even though Cuiaba managed to secure a victory in midweek, it is going to be very hard for them to follow that up with another in this particular match.

They take on one of the strongest squads in the division and considering the fact Flamengo will be boosted by the return of international players, they should have enough quality to get three points.