Fluminense v Atletico Mineiro

Fluminense vs Atletico Mineiro Preview

With just one league position and one point separating Wednesday's fifth-placed hosts, Fluminense, and their fourth-placed visitors, Atletico Mineiro, this top five clash in the Brazilian top flight at the Maracana promises to be a hard-fought affair between two sides that are harbouring aspirations for next season's Copa Libertadores.

After enduring a slight speed-bump in recent weeks when they suffered back-to-back defeats to Botafogo and Corinthians, both of which were away from home, Fluminense have since earned four points from their subsequent two matches.

A 2-1 home win against Bragantino was followed up with a point in a 2-2 draw on the road at Goias, but it's been their form at home so far this season that has handed Fluminense an encouraging start to this Serie A campaign as the hosts still remain unbeaten at the Maracana.

Fluminense have won three and drawn once to date in their opening four home games of this term which consists of wins against Athletico PR, Cuiaba and Bragantino while three of these four home games have also resulted in Under 2.5 goals as well.

Following a slow start to this new Serie A season which yielded just the one win in their opening four games, Atletico Mineiro have since clicked into gear as the visitors have put together a six-match unbeaten run overall in the domestic top flight prior to these midweek fixtures.

Atletico Mineiro had previously slipped to defeats against Vasco da Gama and Botafogo but Luiz Filipe Scolari's side have won four of their subsequent six games, picking up victories over Cuiaba, Internacional, Coritiba and Cruzeiro, so they too stand a decent chance of taking the spoils here on Wednesday night.

The visitors have lost just once in their opening five outings on the road so far this season but goals could be at a premium at the Maracana as three of Atletico Mineiro's last five away games have resulted in Under 2.5 goals, while six of their last 10 games on their travels have also produced less than three goals in total.

Fluminense v Atletico Mineiro Verdict

Fluminense will be keen to extend their unbeaten run to three matches in the domestic top flight on Wednesday night although the hosts do face stiff competition from the visitors, Atletico Mineiro, especially as the away side have won four of the last five meetings between these two clubs.

A tight, low-scoring tussle is therefore expected as Fluminense will be desperate not to lose on home soil and continue to keep the teams above them in their sights.

Therefore, our main bet will be Under 2.5 goals @ 1.70

Other side bets worth considering:

Atletico Mineiro win @ 3.20

Correct score: Atletico Mineiro 1-0 @ 15.00