Flamengo v Athletico Paranaense

Flamengo vs Athletico PR Preview

Flamengo will play host to Athletico PR at the Maracanã on Wednesday night in what is a top seven encounter in the Brazilian Serie A as both teams are vying for a place in the final four spots at the end of the season which would hand them automatic qualification for the CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores.

Flamengo look to be on course for a possible top four finish as the hosts have been handed just one defeat out of their last 11 matches overall in the domestic top flight which came in the shape of a 3-0 loss away from home at Cuiaba but Flamengo have also picked up five wins in the process as well.

Victories achieved against Santos, Fortaleza, Atletico Mineiro, Coritiba and Botafogo have helped maintain Flamengo's bid for Copa Libertadores football next season while the bigger picture has also painted a promising outlook overall as Flamengo have lost just twice in their previous 18 matches in Serie A.

The hosts have also put together a solid and impressive looking eight-match unbeaten run at home in the domestic top flight which consists of four wins and four draws, but Flamengo will be keen to grab all three points here on Wednesday night.

Athletico PR dropped down the Serie A table to seventh place after being held to a third draw on the trot and indeed, the visitors have now been involved in no fewer than five stalemates within their last six matches overall.

Nevertheless, Athletico PR have also been a tough nut to crack in recent times as they bring a stubborn looking eight-match unbeaten run into Wednesday night's encounter at the Maracanã which includes wins collected against Bahia, Vasco da Gama and Cuiaba, two of which have been achieved on home soil at their Ligga Arena.

However, although Athletico PR occupy a top seven spot in the Brazilian top flight table, their lofty league position has been largely down to impressive form at home which has seen them pick up seven wins in 12 matches overall and suffering just the one defeat.

Meanwhile, away from home, Athletico PR have managed to claim just two away wins throughout the whole of this season's Serie A campaign which were achieved at Internacional and Vasco da Gama, both of whom occupy places in the lower half of the division.

The bigger picture is not so promising for the visitors though as they have registered just two victories from their previous 18 outings on their travels, slipping to 10 defeats and keeping just three clean sheets in the process.

Flamengo v Athletico PR Verdict

Flamengo have produced some impressive displays at home this season and although they've been involved in a few draws as well, the hosts should find a way to win here against a poor-travelling Athletico PR outfit.

Therefore, our main bet will be Flamengo win @ 1.80

Other side bets worth considering:

Flamengo win & Under 2.5 goals @ 4.33

Correct score: Flamengo 2-0 @ 6.00