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Flamengo and Criciuma get round 18 of Brasileiro Serie A underway when they square off at the Maracana Stadium on Saturday. Cláudio Tencati’s men have lost their last three away games and will head into the weekend looking to end this poor run.
Flamengo were condemned to their first home defeat since the start of May as they were beaten 2-1 by a dogged Fortaleza side last weekend.
Priot to that, Tite’s men were on a three-game unbeaten run, claiming successive victories over Cruzeiro and Atletico Mineiro before playing out a 1-1 draw with Cuiaba on July 7.
Flamengo have picked up 31 points from 16 matches so far to sit third in the Serie A table, five points adrift of league leaders Botafogo.
Elsewhere, Criciuma failed to move into the top half of the table last time out when they fell to a 2-1 defeat against Corinthians at the Neo Química Arena.
Tencati’s men have now failed to win their last three matches, losing twice and claiming one draw since a 1-0 home victory over Cruzeiro on July 4.
With 17 points from 15 matches, Criciuma are currently 14th in the Serie A table, level on points with 15th-placed Cuiaba.
Flamengo vs Criciuma Head-To-Head and Key Numbers
- With five wins from the last eight meetings between the sides, Flamengo hold the superior record in the history of this fixture.
- Criciuma have picked up one win in that time, which came in July 2003 when they beat Tite’s men 4-3 on home turf, while the spoils have been shared twice.
- Flamengo are unbeaten in their last seven games against Criciuma, claiming five wins and two draws since their narrow defeat in 2003.
- Tencati’s side have lost all but one of their last six away matches in all competitions, with a 2-1 victory at Atletico Goianiense on June 19 being the exception.
- Flamengo are unbeaten in eight of their last nine home games across all competitions, claiming seven wins and one draw since the start of May.
Flamengo vs Criciuma Prediction
Flamengo have suffered a slump in form of late and will head into the weekend in search of a morale-boosting result.
Tite’s men take on a floundering Criciuma side who have struggled for results on their travels and we are backing them to come away with all three points.
Prediction: Flamengo 3-1 Criciuma
Flamengo vs Criciuma Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Flamengo to win
Tip 2: Over 2.5 goals - Yes (There have been three or more goals scored in four of Flamengo’s last five matches)
Tip 3: Both sides to score - Yes (Both sides have also scored in the hosts’ last five outings)
