Brasileirao 2023, Flamengo and Palmeiras take to the field in the first five matches of matchday 16: predictions.
Flamengo, the league’s second-ranked side, have failed to pick up more than two draws in their last two matches against Palmeiras and Fluminense, losing further ground to leaders Botafogo. Twelve points now separate the Mengao from the other team from Rio de Janeiro, so far a real steamroller despite the change of coach.
The Sampaoli cure, in short, has only half worked. Few teams in the Brasileirao can count on so much quality from the midfield upwards as the one coached by the Argentine coach, formerly of Sevilla and Marseille, but Flamengo’s problem, apart from discontinuity, continues to be a non-possession phase that is far from impeccable, as the 18 goals conceded in 15 league matches demonstrate. Strengthened by an unbeaten streak that has lasted a month – the last defeat was on 23 June – the Rossoneri should nevertheless return to winning ways in one of the advances of the 16th round. America Mineiro, the Mengao’s next opponent, share last place in the standings with Vasco da Gama and have collected the pittance of nine points. To lift the spirits of the men coached by Wagner Mancini was the Copa Sudamericana. In the week’s play-off, they thrashed Colo-Colo 5-1 to snatch a pass to the round of 16.
Brasileirao 2023: Palmeiras, victory wanted
The negative moment continues for another Brazilian football bigwig, defending champions Palmeiras. Abel Ferreira’s Verdao have missed their five-match winning streak, having also lost their two close Copa do Brasil matches against Sao Paulo.
Rony del Palmeiras
In the league, the green-and-whites come from three draws in a row, the last of which came at home to International (0-0). Three half-steps that, together with the two defeats they suffered at the end of June against Bahia and Botafogo, have contributed to their plummeting to sixth place, at a sidereal distance from first place. The three points, after all, have been missing for over a month. A fast that could be broken in the home match against Fortaleza, a team that is much less fearsome away than at home. Corinthians’ rivals, on the other hand, appear to be on the upswing, thanks to four consecutive successes between Brasileirao, Copa do Brasil and Copa Sudamericana. Timao therefore have a good chance of avoiding defeat at home to Bahia, who have gone four games without a win. A hostile away match for a healthy Sao Paulo, who have won five of their last six matches.
However, the Tricolor will struggle to make the full haul at home to Cuiabá, always very solid at home. Saturday’s programme closes with the match between Gremio and Atletico Mineiro, played on Italian night. The Bianconeri have the fourth-highest away performance in the league and should snatch at least a point against the Porto Alegre club.
Possible winners
- Flamengo (in Flamengo-America Mineiro, 21:00)
- Palmeiras (in Palmeiras-Fortaleza, 21:00)
- Corinthians or draw (in Bahia-Corinthians, 23:30)
- Cuiabá or draw (in Cuiabá-San Paulo, 23:30)
