Flamengo vs Atletico-Go Prediction and Betting Tips: Best bets for Brasileirao fixture
Atletico-GO head to the Maracana to take on high-flying Flamengo, staring at relegation after a dismal first half of the Brasileirao season.
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Flamengo and Atletico-GO meet at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, the first fixture of the second half of the league season and with both clubs enjoying very different campaigns.
Flamengo, chasing their first league title since 2020, are second in the table, trailing leaders Botafogo by three points, following Wednesday's 2-1 win at Vitoria.
Atletico-GO, meanwhile, are still rooted to the foot of the table with manager Vagner Mancini admitting the situation at the club is worse than he feared it would be when he was appointed at the start of the month.
Mancini lost his first four games in charge before finally picking up a point this week with a 1-1 draw against Bahia.
However, it was a match marred by violence at the end with the referee attacked and riot police on the pitch as Atletico-GO players, staff and fans protested against Bahia's equaliser which came in the ninth minute of added time.
Flamengo vs Atletico-Go Tips
All bar one of Flamengo's last seven matches have featured over 2.5 goals, the last two yielding 2-1 wins against Criciuma and Vitoria. Eight of their last nine wins in all competitions have produced over 2.5 goals as well.
Tite's title challengers have scored the most goals in the Brasileirao this season, while Mancini's rock-bottom visitors boast the second-worst defence in the league.
All in all, the signs are there for Flamengo to win this in a match featuring at least three goals.
Certainly, Flamengo are overflowing with attacking options. The league's top scorer Pedro isn't guaranteed a start with Gabriel Barbosa and Carlinhos coming off the bench to combine to score the winner at Vitoria.
Tite and Gabigol, as Barbosa is known, appear to have made up after an early-season tiff and the Brazilian international frontman remains a huge threat for the Rio powers.
On the flip side, Flamengo have not kept a clean sheet, while Atletico-GO have scored in seven of their last eight and pose a threat.
With games coming thick and fast, expect Flamengo head coach Tite to make changes against Atletico-GO, with Carlinhos earning the right for a start after his match-winning contribution at Vitoria.
The former Corinthians player has paid his dues in the lower leagues before getting a chance this year with the Mengao and two goals in his last five appearances have done him no harm.
Atletico-GO have several players injured or facing suspension and centre-back Alix is definitely sidelined following his red card in the fiery 1-1 draw with Bahia.
Flamengo may well get to turn the goal taps on against Mancini's strugglers and Carlinhos, even off the bench against tiring defenders, is a threat.
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