Flamengo hosts Sport on Saturday (November 1) for the 31st round of the Brazilian Championship at Maracanã, at 9 PM, but without full strength due to five absences. The Rio team, second with 61 points, aims to close in on Palmeiras, while the Pernambuco side, last with 17 points, fights relegation.
The match between Flamengo and Sport marks the 31st round of the Brazilian Championship Série A, taking place at Estádio do Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro at 9 PM Brasília time. Flamengo arrives boosted by qualifying for the Copa Libertadores final, after drawing 0-0 with Racing in Argentina on Wednesday (October 29). In the Brasileirão, the team sits second with 61 points, one behind leader Palmeiras, who extended the gap in the last round with a win, while the Rubro-Negro lost 1-0 to Fortaleza.
However, coach Filipe Luís will miss five confirmed players due to the medical department: Alex Sandro, undergoing load control after the Racing game; Everton, starting on-field work with physiotherapy; Jorginho, with a right thigh muscle injury detected by imaging; Léo Ortiz, with pain from Wednesday's match; and Pedro, in ongoing treatment.
Sport, meanwhile, is at the bottom of the table with 17 points, 15 behind Santos, the first outside the relegation zone, and is virtually relegated. Their last win was on September 21, 1-0 over Corinthians, followed by three draws and four losses in seven games. Away from home, the Pernambuco team has only one win in the competition.
The broadcast will be on SporTV and Premiere. The first-leg match, from the 12th round, was postponed to November 15 at 6:30 PM at Arena de Pernambuco. Flamengo and Sport have contrasting histories: the Rio side fights for the title, while the Lion dreams of staying in the top flight.