Once again the paths of Flamengo and Cruzeiro will cross. Finalists of the Copa do Brasil, the teams will now face the thirty-third round of the Brazilian Championship season 2017. With the start scheduled for 21:45 (Brasilia time), the duel will be held at the Estádio Luso Brasileiro, Urubu Island, Rio de January.

Flamengo’s recent performance

The red-black has a number of problems for the match. He will not be able to count on midfielder Diego, his main point guard, who is loaned to Brazil, who will hold two friendly matches for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Nor will he be able to count on striker Paolo Guerrero. He has been banned from taking part in the World Cup qualifiers against Peru. He has been temporarily suspended for a month until the case is analyzed by FIFA (International Football Federation). The third embezzlement is left-back Trauco, called to defend the Peruvian national team in the repechage for the 2018 World Cup against New Zealand.
Of the three casualties, the most felt must be even that of Guerrero. Even because they have lacked options to supply it. Specialist in the position, Vizeu has not given notice of the message. Therefore, coach Reinaldo Rueda even improvised in the position the socks Geuvânio and Marcos Paquetá. None of them, however, performed convincingly.
Also would be option for the post the forward sprinter Berrío, but a contusion it took it of the rest of the season. Therefore, the technical committee promoted the passage of young Lincoln from the base divisions. It will hardly be called as a starter, but it should be related to the reservation bank.
Although it is in the fight for the title of the South American Cup, Flamengo still has as objective to reach the vacancy for the next edition of the Copa Libertadores of America of 2018 through Brasileirão. It is at the limit of the classification zone. He is seventh with 47 points (12 wins, 11 draws and nine losses). The advantage for Vasco, eighth placed, is only two points.

The current form of the Cruise

For Cruzeiro, 2018 has already begun. With the victory of the Copa do Brasil and the vacancy in Libertadores guaranteed, the team transformed the final stretch of the Brasileirão in an anticipated pre-season. And add your dots. After a 2-2 draw with Palmeiras in São Paulo, they beat Atletico-PR in Belo Horizonte 1-0. With that, they reached fifth place in isolation. He has accumulated 51 points (14 wins, nine draws and nine losses).
With the situation calm, the medical department is emptying itself. In the final stretch of the injury recovery process, midfielder Ariel Cabral, defenders Léo and Digão and striker Rafael Sóbis returned to training with a ball. However, they still depend on improving their fitness so they can be re-connected by coach Mano Menezes. Ariel must follow from outside, but the other three have chances of being used against Flamengo.
Of this group, the most awaited release is in relation to Rafel Sóbis, who has a chance to be promoted to the starting line in the attack command once Raniel and Sassá, the two other available athletes for the position, are still injured. The lack of industry experts prompted Jonata, 19, to earn his first chance at the team by working a few minutes against the Hurricane.
Who made up the role of ‘false nine’ against Atletico-PR was the Uruguayan midfielder De Arrascaeta. However, it will not be available on Wednesday. He has been called to the Uruguayan squad, who will make friendly preparations to prepare for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

History of the bouts between Flamengo and Cruzeiro
In the Brasileirão, the teams had 53 matches. The Cruzeiro got the best in 23 of them. Flamengo won 17 and there was a tie in 13 opportunities, including the 1 to 1 marked in the first round of the 2017 edition of the competition.
However, this was not the most important confrontation between the teams in the current season. Cruzeirenses and red-blacks decided the title of the Brazilian Cup. There was also a tie in both games and the trophy was with the miners in the penalty shootout.

A lot of ball possession, midfield passes and little definition power. This description can be made for both Flemish and Cruise throughout the season. This makes the draw a good guessing option for the confrontation. Has a price of 3.40 in Bet365. Red-black victory paid 1.85. Success visitor multiplies the investment by 4.33.