Palmeiras have the edge over Flamengo

Palmeiras v Flamengo
BT Sport 2, 7pm Sunday

Palmeiras's slim hopes of winning the Brazilian championship have evaporated after successive away defeats but they can bolster their top-four position with a home victory over seventh-placed Flamengo.

With just five rounds of fixtures left, Palmeiras are fourth - the last of the positions which guarantees automatic qualification for next season's Copa Libertadores group stage.

Three of the Sao Paolo side's remaining games are at home and they need to make them count if they are to fend off challengers for a top-four finish, who include Flamengo.

Palmeiras are the top scorers in the division with 51 goals in 33 matches but have not relied on any particular individual for goals.

Attacking midfielders Willian Gomes and Dudu share top-scorer honours with seven each but Palmeiras are without six-goal Colombian centre-forward Miguel Borja, who has been called up for national team duty.

Palmeiras have a strong home record this season - taking 30 points from 16 matches at Allianz Parque - and should fancy their chances against Flamengo, who have triumphed in just four of their 17 away league games.

Flamengo could be inconvenienced by their busy November schedule.

The Rio de Janeiro giants have a two-legged Copa Sudamerica semi-final against Colombian side Junior to look forward to, and the match with Palmeiras is the fourth of nine matches on their November schedule.

Flamengo were 2-0 winners at home to Cruzeiro on Wednesday - ending a run of three games without a win - but are without injured striker Paolo Guerrero and defender Miguel Trauco, who is on international duty with Peru.

Both are first-team regulars and their absence makes a tough away trip even more difficult.

Recommendation
Palmeiras
1pt 21-20 general

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter@racingpostsport

Like us on FacebookRacingPostSport