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

While the visitors cruised through - building on back-to-back league wins - their hosts required a dramatic penalty shootout to reach the last eight, where the two clubs meet next month.

Match preview

In the fourth meeting between the clubs in this season's Copa Libertadores, Corinthians and Boca Juniors served up a second successive goalless draw on Tuesday; sending their last-16 tie to penalties.

Having absorbed relentless pressure and managed only a single effort at goal throughout the preceding 90 minutes, Timao stole into the next round by virtue of a nervy 6-5 victory on spot kicks.

Only days earlier, Corinthians had been stunned by a 4-0 loss to Fluminense at the Maracana, so coach Vitor Pereira was particularly pleased to see his side get straight back on track.

The Portuguese tactician had previously enjoyed a promising start to life with the Sao Paulo giants, after his team became only the second Brazilian outfit to eliminate Boca from the competition at La Bombonera.

Following a brief tour of South America's most famed stadiums, Corinthians now return to domestic duty on home turf, and they sit fourth in the Serie A standings before Flamengo's visit this weekend - just three points behind leaders Palmeiras.

Pereira's men have hardly been prolific this term, despite occupying such a lofty spot in the table - scoring at a rate of just over one goal per game - but have relied on an impenetrable home record to pile up points; they remain unbeaten in 17 matches at Neo Quimica Arena since February.

The tide seems to be turning for Flamengo under new coach Dorival Junior, as the Rio club posted their fourth straight win on Wednesday - and in spectacular style.

Leading Colombia's Deportes Tolima by a goal from the away leg of the teams' last-16 Libertadores tie, Fla stormed to a 7-1 victory at the Maracana, with Pedro bagging four goals.

Dorival had lost three of his first four matches in charge, and having prioritised defensive stability, his team continued to struggle in the final third, but a total of 13 goals from the last four games suggests that they are now on the up.

Last Saturday's 2-1 win over Santos - when Pedro was on target again - saw the 2019 and 2020 Brasileiro champions slip inside the top eight of the tightly-packed Serie A standings, but they also remain just five points clear of the relegation zone.

The Rubro-Negro have won only two of their away fixtures in the league this term, so picking up three points on Sunday - perhaps gaining a psychological edge over their next Libertadores opponents too - would give their recent revival a further boost.

Corinthians Brasileiro form:

Corinthians form (all competitions):

Flamengo Brasileiro form:

Flamengo form (all competitions):

Team News

Corinthians coach Vitor Pereira will be forced into at least one change to the side which shut out Boca Juniors in midweek, as centre-back Joao Victor has since signed for Benfica.

Pereira also has a long list of injuries to contend with, as Fagner, Rafael Ramos and Du Queiroz are all ruled out by thigh injuries, with Renato Augusto (calf) and Gustavo Silva (tendon) both doubtful too. In addition, Adson is set to be sidelined by a COVID-19 infection.

Goals have been thin on the ground for the hosts - they have failed to score in their last four matches - but Gustavo Mantuan and veteran striker Junior Moraes could feature up front, with Roger Guedes providing another possible option.

Meanwhile, after scoring seven times in a top-level match for the first time since the turn of the century, Flamengo may once again pair Pedro with top scorer Gabriel Barbosa on Sunday.

Young midfielder Joao Gomes is back, after being ruled out of the last two domestic games by suspension, but Bruno Henrique's knee injury keeps him out of commission until September.

Experienced campaigners Filipe Luis and David Luiz should feature in the visitors' back four, with the latter joined by Leo Pereira at the heart of the Fla defence.

Corinthians possible starting lineup:

Cassio; Renan, Robson, Gustavo; Mendez, Cantillo, Xavier, Piton; Giovane, Moraes, Mantuan

Flamengo possible starting lineup:

Santos; Rodinei, Luiz, Leo, Luis; Maia; De Arrascaeta, Gomes, Everton; Pedro, Barbosa

We say: Corinthians 1-1 Flamengo

The morale boost from midweek events should lift both sides for the occasion, but neither is likely to give too much away ahead of their two-legged Libertadores tie in the coming weeks.

Despite benefiting from home advantage, Corinthians are still short of quality up front, so may be forced to settle for a low-scoring draw.

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