Bet of the Day: Flamengo to take spoils in low-scoring derby

Clash of the Rio titans at Maracana in Brazil’s Serie A

There’s a huge game live on BT Sport this evening involving two of Rio de Janeiro’s biggest clubs, Flamengo and Fluminense.

Both sides have different objectives right now so this should make for a fascinating derby at Maracana.

Flamengo are up in seventh, currently fighting for a Copa Libertadores place. Fluminense are back in 16^th, one place about the drop-zone.

Neither Mengão or Flu are in form right now. The former have lost their last two fixtures, while the latter are winless in four.

Players will be missing on both sides including Flamengo’s top scorer, Paolo Guerrero. The Peru international sealed his country’s World Cup play-off place with the equaliser against Colombia.

With this being an intense derby, the Coral News Team reckon it could be very tight.

Under 2.5 Goals is Coral’s Bet of the Day at 5/6.

Backing the home win makes sense

Flamengo are 4/6 to win this and that’s understandable given the club’s overall league positions.

However, with Guerrero’s absence, the Rio giants lose a little bit of potency up top.

They do still have former Atletico Madrid star Diego pulling the strings, though, and have a good home record.

At the Maracana, Flamengo are the fifth best home side in the division, winning seven of their 13 games there.

They’ve conceded just nine goals at home which is less than a goal per game.

Backing the Flamengo win and Under 2.5 goals at 14/5 looks value.

Edginess on both sides means tight scoreline

With both sides arriving at this juncture with low morale, the Coral News Team just can’t see fireworks in this.

It’s going to be a tight, tense affair. Expectations at the start of the season have not been met and confidence is low.

However, Flamengo have to be given the benefit of the doubt. They are unbeaten in six against their bitter rivals.

With the 1-0 scoreline being the most frequent in Serie A this season at 15% of all league fixtures, backing it again at 11/2 is worth a bet.

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All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing