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Flamengo will be hoping to maintain their three-point lead at the top of the Brasileirao when they visit Santos on Thursday, October 8, at the Estadio Urbano Caldeira.
With only 10 league matches left to play, Palmeiras are breathing down the leaders' necks, waiting for the smallest misstep to swoop in and grab the lead.
Meanwhile, Santos will be hoping to climb into a spot for next year's Copa Libertadores, from which they are currently seven points behind, but only five behind the qualification place, which is why three points at home are crucial for the hosts.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Santos vs. Flamengo key stats
- Flamengo are on a run of five wins in a row in the Brazil Serie A.
- Santos are undefeated in their last seven league games, also winning the last five on the bounce.
- The hosts have scored at least once in each of their last seven matches.
- The home side also conceded at least once in the last six league matches they have hosted.
Santos vs. Flamengo preview: The battle of different ambitions
Santos vs Flamengo — Tale of the Tape
| Santos | vs | Flamengo |
|---|---|---|
| 8th | Position | 1st |
| 41 | Points | 60 |
| 43 | Goals For | 55 |
| 41 | Goals Against | 53 |
| 6 | Clean Sheets | 12 |
| 13th (H) | Home / Away Rank | 1st (A) |
After finishing 12th in the league last term, Santos needed a revelation in the Brasileirao this season, and it seems that they have got it in some form.
O Peixe are on an excellent run of winning their last five league matches in a row, and it appears that being knocked out of the Copa Sudamericana has not fazed them in the slightest, as they secured an away win against Sao Paulo last weekend to keep their continental ambitions alive.
The players seem to have responded well to Cuca's appointment, as they have won 17 of the 38 matches he has overseen, which is encouraging heading into the final 10 league games of the season.
Cuca's charges last suffered a league defeat back in August, indicating that they have been on an upward trajectory since then; however, they should not get carried away with that as their record against Flamengo, particularly at home, does not make for great reading.
The visitors have enjoyed travelling to Santos in recent years, winning four of the previous five head-to-heads on their opponents' patch.
The Mengao have a slight weakness away from home this season, though, only winning three of their last six on rival turf.
Having won three of the last five meetings with Santos, however, the visitors are likely to leave with three points once again, maintaining their lead at the Serie A summit.
The visitors will welcome the return of Lucas Paqueta, who served his yellow-card suspension last time out, while forward Pedro will be hoping to add to his goal-scoring tally and get closer to the Golden Boot.
Santos vs. Flamengo form guide & betting tips
| Santos | vs | Flamengo |
|---|---|---|
WWWWW |
Form | WWWWW |
| 15 | Points | 15 |
| 2nd | Form Table | 1st |
| 10 | Goals For | 10 |
| 5 | Goals Against | 2 |
WWLWW |
Form (All Comps) | WWWDW |
Whispers predicts: Santos 1-2 Flamengo
Flamengo head into this fixture as the favourites, which is why they are 1.76 odds to win; meanwhile, the BTTS-Yes bet at 1.63 odds is also a good option.
However, for more value, it is worth combining the two for a Flamengo win and BTTS – Yes bet at 3.45.
Flamengo's striker Pedro has already recorded 16 league goals, two behind the current leader, and he has scored two goals across his last three appearances for both club and country, which is why backing him as an anytime goalscorer at 2.06 odds makes perfect sense.
> 1×2 – Flamengo to win at 1.76 | Likelihood: High
> BTTS – Yes at 1.63 | Likelihood: High
> 1×2 & BTTS – Flamengo and yes at 3.45 | Likelihood: High
> Anytime goalscorer – Pedro at 2.06 | Likelihood: Medium