Preview: Flamengo vs Sao Paulo - prediction, team news, lineups

By Nsidibe Akpan | 25 Jul 2026 22:47, Last updated: 26 Jul 2026 20:21

The highly anticipated clash between Flamengo and Sao Paulo is all set to take place on Sunday, July 26, at 10:30pm (UK time) at the iconic Maracana in the 20th round of the Brasileiro. This fixture marks the reunion of Flamengo with their supporters following the break for the World Cup. With the second half of the competition kicking off, both teams will be looking to make a significant impact.

Flamengo arrives at this crucial juncture after a resounding 4-0 thrashing of Chapecoense, which has propelled them to second position in the league table with 37 points from 18 matches. They have recorded 11 wins, four draws, and three defeats, with a significant seven-point gap separating them from leaders Palmeiras, who have played a game more. In contrast, Sao Paulo finds itself languishing in 12th place with 25 points from 19 rounds, having secured seven wins, four draws, and eight losses. Their recent slide has seen them go six matches without a victory, leaving them in a precarious position.

The return of Flamengo from the World Cup break was nothing short of impressive, as they thrashed bottom-of-the-table Chapecoense 4-0 at the Arena Conda last Wednesday. The Rio de Janeiro-based side showcased their dominance with Pedro scoring twice, while Lorran and Rafael Thyere each contributed a goal. The main talking point of the evening was the impressive performance of Giorgian de Arrascaeta, who made a successful comeback from injury with three months on the sidelines. However, there were concerns over the fitness of Gonzalo Plata, who suffered a knee injury in the first half and was replaced by Lorran.

For the upcoming fixture against Sao Paulo, Flamengo will have to contend with the absence of several key players. Carrascal will serve the third and final match of his suspension, while Lucas Paqueta is still recovering from an injury sustained during international duty. Luiz Araujo is being treated for a left knee injury and is ruled out, and Leo Ortiz is expected to return to the squad following his recovery. Conversely, Arrascaeta is pushing for a starting role after his impressive showing in the Chapecoense match, while De La Cruz returns to the side after being rested due to the synthetic pitch at the Arena Conda. Pedro, Flamengo's top scorer with 21 goals, continues to impress, and the competition between Bruno Henrique and Samuel Lino for the remaining attacking positions remains fierce.

Sao Paulo, on the other hand, is reeling from their recent defeats, including a heartbreaking loss to Athletico-PR. Dorival Junior's side had taken the lead through Artur, but Leozinho's double in the second half turned the game around. This setback has left Sao Paulo facing a significant crisis, with no signs of improvement in the second half of the competition. The team's target of securing a spot in the Copa Libertadores qualification has become increasingly distant, as they trail Bahia by five points.

In the reverse fixture, Sao Paulo triumphed over Flamengo 2-1 at the MorumBIS on the opening weekend of the Brasileiro, with Luciano and Danielzinho scoring crucial goals. However, Flamengo will be looking to bounce back and remain in the title race, with six points separating them from leaders Palmeiras. For Sao Paulo, the remaining route to silverware in 2026 lies in the Copa Sudamericana, where they await their last-16 opponent.

Flamengo's home advantage, combined with the technical quality of their squad and the return of key players, has put them in a favorable position to control the game against Sao Paulo. Pedro poses a significant threat to the Sao Paulo goal, with his impressive form this season. While Calleri and Luciano for Sao Paulo are capable of creating danger in isolated moments, it is likely that the Tricolor will struggle for most of the match.

In the predicted starting lineups for both teams, Flamengo's possible lineup includes Rossi in goal, Varela, Leo Pereira, Vitao, and Alex Sandro in defense. The midfield is likely to feature Erick Pulgar, De La Cruz, and Everton Araujo, with Arrascaeta and Bruno Henrique forming the attacking partnership alongside Pedro. Sao Paulo's possible lineup features Rafael in goal, Lucas Ramon, Arboleda, Sabino, and Wendell in defense, with Pablo Maia, Marcos Antonio, and Bobadilla forming the midfield. The attacking trio of Artur, Luciano, and Calleri will look to capitalize on their scoring opportunities.

Looking ahead to the match, the home advantage and team morale of Flamengo are likely to give them an edge over Sao Paulo. However, the Tricolor's attacking prowess and home form will make this a closely contested and intense match.