Flamengo can go top as Vasco fight the drop, with Palmeiras pivotal this weekend | OneFootball

According to Coluna Do Fla, Flamengo can seize top spot this weekend while Vasco grapple with the relegation fight, and their fortunes could intersect.

The sides have just met in the Libertadores last 16. The decisive leg on Wednesday 19 finished 2-1 to Flamengo, with Samuel Lino and Arrascaeta on target.

Flamengo visit Cruzeiro at the Mineirão on Saturday 22, kick-off 20:30 Brasília time, and a win would take them top. That league meeting closes a recent run between the clubs.

With the Libertadores gone and the league lead distant, Cruzeiro plan to focus on the Copa do Brasil, with a quarter-final first leg next week. They may rotate on Saturday.

Leonardo Jardim’s team have 45 points, three fewer than Palmeiras, who have played a game more. That has bolstered belief in a push for a 10th Brasileiro title.

Vasco are 19th on 22 points, with Grêmio on 25 the first side outside the drop zone, so only a win realistically improves their position. They go to Palmeiras at Allianz Parque on Sunday 23 at 16:00 Brasília time, after Flamengo have played, a fixture that could shape both the title race and their own escape.

Source: Coluna Do Fla

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”