Flamengo Favoured to See Off Sao Paulo

Brazilian Serie A serves up a headline clash early Monday morning as Flamengo host Sao Paulo. The gap in form between the two sides is clear: Flamengo are flying in attack, while Sao Paulo arrive on the back of a run of poor results, leaving the home side with the upper hand.

Flamengo have been in excellent form lately, posting five wins and one draw in their last six matches in all competitions. They have also kept clean sheets in back-to-back league games, and in their most recent Serie A outing they thrashed Chapecoense 4-0. After 18 league matches, they sit second in the table with 11 wins, four draws and three defeats for 37 points, with strong performances at both ends of the pitch. Leading striker Pedro Guilherme has scored 12 league goals so far and is a serious contender for this season's Serie A golden boot. He struck twice in the last round and is in outstanding form. With their attack in full flow and confidence high, Flamengo look well placed to take all three points at home.

Sao Paulo's recent form is worrying. They are without a win in their last six league matches and have lost four of them, including a 2-1 defeat to Athletico Paranaense in the previous round after being turned around. That result has further dented morale. After 19 league matches, Sao Paulo have recorded seven wins, four draws and eight defeats for 25 points, leaving them around mid-table and looking fairly ordinary in competitiveness. Their away form is another concern, as they are now winless in their last seven Serie A away matches. Facing a strong opponent on the road, Sao Paulo are up against it in this trip.