Juventude vs. Bragantino (Tuesday, 10.00pm)
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Juventude have another opportunity to climb out of relegation in the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A when they play host to Bragantino from Estadio Alfredo Jaconi on Tuesday.
Both teams picked up a single point in their previous league fixture with goals in the second half as they each drew 1-1.
We say: Juventude 1-0 Bragantino
Juventude have been playing with a much more proactive approach of late and they will need to again on Tuesday as they are fighting hard to try and remain in the top flight.
As entertaining as Braga have been to watch this year, it is clear that they still have some growing to do and need to find some more consistency as they appear to be a little disjointed at the moment and they are winless in their last five road fixtures in the league, having been shut out of their previous three.
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Flamengo vs. Ceara (Tuesday, 11.00pm)
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Following a heartbreaking defeat in the final of the Copa Libertadores on Saturday, Flamengo need a win to assure themselves of an outside chance to retain their Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A crown when they host Ceara on Tuesday at the Maracana.
The reigning two-time league champions are in danger of ending the campaign without a trophy for the first time since 2018 as they currently trail Atletico Mineiro by eight points with only four games remaining, while Vozao have come to life, beating Corinthians 2-1 last Thursday to move into eighth in the table.
We say: Flamengo 2-1 Ceara
Under most circumstances, Flamengo could be ripe for the picking, coming off an emotional defeat in the cup final and with just a few days to rest, however because their reign as Serie A champions is in jeopardy, they should be motivated enough to fight hard and put some pressure on Atletico Mineiro to have to pick up some more points to claim the title.
Fatigue may play a factor in this one, but Gaucho has a variety of talented players at every position who can step up when called upon, which is something Ceara will have difficulties matching, given their resources.
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Cuiaba vs. Palmeiras (Wednesday, 1.00am)
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Fresh off their second consecutive Copa Libertadores championship, Palmeiras return to league play on Tuesday with a chance to secure a top-three finish with a victory over Cuiaba at Arena Pantanal.
Palestra scored in the opening five minutes and five minutes into extra time to squeak out a 2-1 victory over Flamengo in their continental triumph this weekend, while Dourado have posted consecutive shutouts but have dropped to 13th in the table, following a 0-0 draw with Bahia.
We say: Cuiaba 1-0 Palmeiras
Even though Palmeiras are the superior side, Cuiaba have done a great job of playing above their potential against the elite clubs in the Brasileiro Serie A, and with this match taking place only days after their cup triumph, we expect to see Palestra play with a lot less enthusiasm than usual, which should not be a problem for Dourado, who will want to assure their place in the top flight next year.
