Flu v Chapecoense: top-four push meets survival fight | OneFootball

Fluminense host Chapecoense in the Brasileirão on Sunday, 26 April 2026, at the Maracanã, with the hosts defending a top-four spot and the visitors trying to spark a survival bid.

Fluminense are third on 23 points and have five home wins from six. Chapecoense sit 20th with eight points and just one away point so far. The last league meeting between the sides in 2021 ended in a 3-0 home win for Fluminense.

Form points to a clear contrast. Flu's recent run includes a 3-2 victory at Santos, draws with Operário and Coritiba, and defeats to Flamengo and Independiente Rivadavia. Chape have lost four of their last five league games, including 4-0 and 4-1 home reverses, with a 1-1 draw against Vitória their only respite.

Injuries could shape the selection picture. Flu are without Germán Cano, Luciano Acosta, Nonato, Martinelli and Matheus Reis. With Cano sidelined, John Kennedy or Yeferson Soteldo may be asked to carry more of the finishing load. Chape are missing Yannick Bolasie, Giovanni Augusto, Bruno Matias, Italo and Robert.

The match-up may hinge on the hosts' attack against a porous defence. Tricolor Carioca have scored 21 and conceded 15 across 12 league games, while Verdão do Oeste have shipped 22 in 11. Flu will likely look to pin the visitors back and create from wide areas, while Chape may need discipline and counter-attacking opportunities to stay in the contest.

A win would move Flu to 26 points and could tighten their grip on the top four. Victory would lift Chape to 11 points and could narrow the gap to safety in the relegation fight.