Preview: Athletico Paranaense vs. Flamengo - prediction, team news, lineups

The current holders Flamengo will go into the midweek contest with a slender lead after claiming a 2-1 victory in the first leg.

Match preview

Athletico Paranaense have reached the quarter-finals of the Copa do Brasil for a third consecutive season after prevailing on penalties against both Clube de Regatas Brasil and Botafogo.

The Furucao were eliminated by Flamengo at this stage of the competition last year, and there is a risk of history repeating itself following a narrow defeat in the away leg.

After losing to Flamengo last week, Athletico Paranaense suffered another disappointing result at the weekend, as they fell to a 1-0 away defeat in their league meeting against Fortaleza.

They will now turn their attention back to cup action, and after avoiding defeat in their last five competitive home matches, Athletico Paranaense will be hopeful of mounting a turnaround on Wednesday.

The hosts will also take confidence from the fact that they have already recorded a home victory over Flamengo this season, claiming a 2-1 win when the two sides met in the league in May.

After beating Maringa and Fluminese in the third and fourth round respectively, Flamengo are competing in the last eight of the Copa do Brasil for the seventh consecutive season.

They look well set to continue their defence of the trophy they won last season after they came from behind to win the first leg of their quarter-final tie thanks to a Pedro penalty and Bruno Henrique's 71st-minute winner.

Jorge Sampaoli's side followed their first-leg victory with a 1-1 draw in Saturday's league fixture against Palmeiras, extending their unbeaten run to five matches across all competitions.

Although they were beaten by Athletico Paranaense in the league earlier this season, that result represents the only defeat they have suffered in the last six meetings between the two sides.

If they can secure their passage through to the last four, it would represent their third straight appearance in the Copa do Brasil semi-finals.

Athletico Paranaense Copa do Brasil form:

Athletico Paranaense form (all competitions):

L

W

W

D

L

L

Flamengo Copa do Brasil form:

Flamengo form (all competitions):

L

W

W

W

W

D

Team News

Athletico Paranaense will go into the second leg without the services of Romulo Cardoso and Fernando Bueno.

After being rested for the defeat to Fortaleza, Thiago Heleno, Fernandinho, Vitor Bueno and Canobbio are expected to return to the starting lineup.

Interim boss Wesley Carvalho is also set to recall Madson and Vitor Roque after the pair missed Sunday's Brasileiro fixture through suspension.

As for the visitors, they are unable to call upon Leo Pereira, Gabriel Barbosa, Allan, Matheuzinho and Arturo Vidal.

Erick Pulgar was suspended for Sunday's 1-1 draw against Palmeiras, but the 29-year-old is expected to return to the starting lineup on Wednesday.

After coming off the bench to score the equaliser at the weekend, Giorgian de Arrascaeta could be brought back into the side.

Athletico Paranaense possible starting lineup:

Bento; Henrique, Heleno, Ze Ivaldo; Madson, Erick, Fernandinho, Esquivel; Cannobio, Bueno, Roque

Flamengo possible starting lineup:

Cunha; Wesley, Bruno, Luiz, Lucas; Hugo, Pulgar, Gerson; Everton, De Arrascaeta, Pedro

We say: Athletico Paranaense 1-1 Flamengo

Athletico Paranaense know that only a win will do in Wednesday's second leg, but we think their Copa do Brasil campaign will come to an end against Flamengo.

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