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

The hosts bounced back from a three-game losing run with an important victory over Athletico Paranaense last time out, while their visitors extended an impressive run of form with a 4-0 thrashing of Santos.

Match preview

Palmeiras enjoyed an eye-catching start to the domestic season, sitting at the summit of the division at the beginning of August with 31 points from 13 league outings, but their form took a dip after that point.

A seven-game winning run was put to an end as they were held to a goalless draw by Sao Paulo, and Abel Ferreira's men went on to suffer three straight defeats in the Brazilian top flight, firstly falling to a 3-2 loss at the hands of Fortaleza.

The Verdao were then toppled by new league leaders Atletico Mineiro, as a Jefferson Savarino brace fired their opponents to a 2-0 win, before they suffered a defeat by the same scoreline at the hands of Cuiaba.

Ferreira's side managed to bounce back last time out though, as goals from Luan and Rony fired them to a vital 2-1 home victory over Athletico Paranaense.

Despite their difficult run, Palmeiras have kept hold of second spot and now sit just four points behind the league leaders, meaning they will be desperate to return to their best to mount a challenge for top spot, but they face a tough test against a Flamengo side in impressive form.

After a relatively slow start to the Brasileiro campaign, Flamengo seem to have hit their stride, having recorded four straight league victories in July and August.

While that run was put to an end by a disappointing 4-0 defeat to Internacional, Renato Gaucho's men immediately bounced back with a 2-0 win over Sport Recife before playing out a 1-1 draw away against Ceara.

Last time out, the Rebro-Negro made a return to winning ways by thrashing Santos 4-0 away from home.

The game was goalless at the break, but Gabriel Barbosa quickly put Flamengo ahead in the second half, and he went on to hit a hat-trick before Andreas Pereira capped off an impressive showing with his side's fourth goal in the dying minutes.

Their upturn in form has seen Gaucho's men rise to fifth spot in the Brazilian top flight, and they now sit just two points behind third-placed Fortaleza, while they would reduce the gap between themselves and Sunday's opponents to just a single point with what would be an impressive victory.

Palmeiras Brasileiro form:

Palmeiras form (all competitions):

Flamengo Brasileiro form:

Flamengo form (all competitions):

Team News

Palmeiras' only absentee should be new signing Jorge, who remains out of action through injury.

Goalkeeper Weverton, centre-back Gustavo Gomez and left-back Joaquin Piquerez are all expected to return from international duty, and could slot straight into the starting XI.

Dudu should again lead the line, as he continues to search for a first league goal of the season.

Flamengo will also be boosted by a return from the international break, as crucial forward Gabriel Barbosa will come back into the squad after featuring for Brazil.

Giorgian de Arrascaeta will also slot straight back into the side, after starring for Uruguay with three goals in three games, and the midfielder offers additional threat going forward.

They will remain without midfielder Robert Piris and experienced full-back Filipe Luis, while Bruno Henrique and Diego are both doubts.

Palmeiras possible starting lineup:

Weverton; Rocha, Garcia, Gomez, Piquerez; Rafael, Danilo; Rony, Veiga, Willian; Dudu

Flamengo possible starting lineup:

Alves; Isla, Caio, L Pereira, Rene; A Pereira, Arao; Ribeiro, De Arrascaeta, Michael; Barbosa

We say: Palmeiras 1-1 Flamengo

While Flamengo appear to be in a better run of form, Palmeiras bounced back last time out and will certainly be difficult to defeat.

We see Sunday's game ending level, in a result that should be relatively pleasing to both sides as they look to remain in the battle at the top end of the table.