Flamengo Seek Leadership as They Face Cruzeiro in Brasileirao Showdown

Flamengo take on Cruzeiro this Saturday at 8:30 PM (Brasília time) in the Mineirão, Round 24 of the Campeonato Brasileiro, as they hunt another three points in their bid for the championship. With 45 points, three behind the current leaders, the Rubro-Negro face their opponents before the Sunday clash between Palmeiras and Vasco. A win would see them sleep at the top of the standings, at least until that encounter concludes. Flamengo also have a game in hand in the competition.

The fixture marks a reunion between the sides just days after their Copa Libertadores Round of 16 encounter. Last Wednesday (19), Flamengo defeated Cruzeiro 2-1 at the Maracanã and secured passage to the quarter-finals of the continental competition. Now, the challenge is to beat their rivals once more and attempt to seize the Brasileirao lead this round.

Manager Leonardo Jardim is expected to rotate his squad due to the fixture congestion. Léo Pereira will be rested, while Alex Sandro, Vitão and De la Cruz continue their recovery from respective injuries. Everton Cebolinha and Wallace Yan did not travel to Belo Horizonte due to technical reasons.

Head to Head

Flamengo and Cruzeiro have faced each other 106 times throughout history, across all competitions and friendlies. The Rubro-Negro hold the advantage, with 41 victories against 36 wins for their Minas Gerais counterparts, alongside 29 draws. Flamengo have also scored more goals: 140 to 125.

In the Campeonato Brasileiro specifically, there have been 65 encounters, with a slight Flamengo edge: 26 wins for the Rubro-Negro, 24 for Cruzeiro and 15 draws. In terms of goals, Flamengo again lead: 80 to 68. In the points-per-game era, which began in 2003, there have been 41 matches, with Flamengo winning 19, Cruzeiro 15 and seven draws.

Recent form also favours the Rubro-Negro. In their last 20 meetings across all competitions, Flamengo have won 12 times, drawn six and lost only two. In their last ten games, Flamengo have six wins, three draws and one defeat.

Match Officials

Referee: Rodrigo José Pereira de Lima (PE)
Assistants: Danilo Ricardo Simon Manis (SP) and Nailton Junior de Sousa Oliveira (CE)
Fourth Official: Paulo Roberto Alves Junior (PR)
VAR: Gilberto Rodrigues Castro Junior (PE).