Game Information

Sunday 13th April – Kick-off – 23:30 (GMT)

Fluminense

After a poor showing on opening weekend, Fluminense needed a quick response — and they delivered with a pair of much-improved performances.

First, they got the job done in the Copa Libertadores, seeing off Once Caldas. Then, they carried that momentum into the league with a 2-1 win over Bragantino at home in Rio de Janeiro.

Lima opened the scoring with a composed finish, rounding keeper Cleiton after a well-worked move to give Flu a deserved lead going into the break.

That advantage held until the 84th minute when Isidro Pitta headed home from the edge of the box following a well-delivered free kick — a goal that looked like it would earn Bragantino a share of the points. But Fluminense weren’t done. A scrappy sequence from a corner in the dying moments saw Martinelli react quickest, poking in from close range to hand Renato Gaúcho all three points in his return to the club.

In midweek, Flu followed it up in style, dismantling San Jose of Bolivia with a 5-0 thrashing in the Copa Sudamericana — a result they’ll be eager to build on heading into this next clash.

Santos

Santos could be set for a major boost with the expected return of club icon Neymar, who’s been sidelined since picking up an injury during the Paulista State Championships back in March. All eyes will be on him as he looks to inspire Santos to their first win of the Brasileirao season.

Last time out, they were involved in a thrilling encounter against Bahia. The visitors struck first in the 17th minute, with Erick showing real composure to round the keeper and slot home, putting Bahia 1-0 up.

Santos fought back after the break, capitalising on some scrappy defending as Thaciano bundled in the equaliser. Then, with just nine minutes left on the clock, Diego Pituca fired them in front, and it looked like the points were staying at Vila Belmiro.

But Bahia wasn’t done yet. In stoppage time, Luciano Juba found the leveller to deny Santos the win in heartbreaking fashion.

Peixe head into this clash without any midweek distractions — something they’ll be looking to use to their full advantage as they search for that all-important first victory.

Expected Lineups

Fluminense – Fábio, Guga, Thiago Silva, Freytes, Renê, Martinelli, Hércules, Lima, Canobbio, Arias, Cano.

Santos – Gabriel Brazão, Léo Godoy, Gil, Zé Ivaldo, Escobar, João Schmidt, Diego Pituca, Thaciano, Rollheiser, Guilherme, Tiquinho Soares.

Prediction

Fluminense 1-1 Santos