Flamengo host Botafogo at Maracanã in title race showdown

Flamengo will host Botafogo at the Maracanã on Sunday in a crucial clash of the Brazilian Serie A title race. With kick-off at 4 p.m., the Rubro-Negro aim to recover from last weekend's defeat to Cruzeiro and narrow their six-point deficit to league leaders Palmeiras in Round 25.

Flamengo come into the derby with a game in hand but facing an uphill battle to keep their title ambitions alive. The Botafogo fixture marks the first of back-to-back home matches at the Maracanã, with the Alvinegro also set to face Mirassol on Wednesday in a rescheduled Serie A encounter.

Defender Léo Pereira returns to the squad after being rested in the Cruzeiro match. Head coach Leonardo Jardim faces questions in attack following the departure of Gonzalo Plata, with Carrascal, Luiz Araújo and Lucas Paquetá competing for the vacancy. Bruno Henrique's suspension following his third yellow card adds to the squad concerns.

The History Books

Sunday's fixture will be the 400th meeting in the clubs' record. In 399 encounters to date, Flamengo hold a commanding advantage with 152 victories, 127 draws and 120 Botafogo wins. The Rubro-Negro have also registered more goals across all contests: 602 compared to Botafogo's 537.

Recent form heavily favours the hosts. Flamengo are unbeaten against Botafogo in their last six encounters—five wins and a draw—stretching back beyond last season's 4-1 defeat on August 18, 2024, at Nilton Santos.

In 2026 alone, the clubs have met twice, with Flamengo winning both. They triumphed 2-1 in the Carioca Championship quarter-finals at Nilton Santos, then recorded a commanding 3-0 victory in the Serie A first round away from home, with Samuel Lino, Léo Pereira and Pedro on the scoresheet.

Match Officials

Referee: Alex Gomes Stefano (RJ)
Assistant 1: Rodrigo Figueiredo Henrique Correa (RJ)
Assistant 2: Luiz Claudio Regazone (RJ)
VAR: Daniel Nobre Bins (RS).