Atletico Mineiro vs Flamengo – News and Probable Lineups

Atletico Mineiro are set to host Flamengo at Arena MRV this Sunday in a significant Brasileiro encounter. The home side looks to stabilize their unpredictable season, while the visitors are on a quest to maintain their winning momentum and further their position near the top of the league.

The disparity between the two teams is striking, as Atletico struggles with inconsistency and internal conflicts, whereas Flamengo arrives with a buoyant spirit, buoyed by a series of impressive results.

Match overview

Atletico Mineiro enters this match placed 12th in the league, accumulating 14 points from 12 encounters, following a season characterized by uneven performances.

With just four wins, two draws, and six losses, their inconsistent form is evident, highlighted by recent match trends – a victory against Ceara followed by a defeat to Coritiba and another success against Juventud.

Despite making headway in the Copa do Brasil, the atmosphere at the club remains tense, with reports of internal challenges surfacing in recent weeks.

Renan Lodi recently acknowledged issues within the club, while Hulk admitted to unrest in the squad, even suggesting that his tenure at the club might be nearing its end, adding to the uncertainty leading into this match.

The combination of these off-field issues and their fluctuating on-field performances places Atletico in a precarious situation as they gear up to face one of the top-performing teams in Brazil.

In contrast, Flamengo arrives in Belo Horizonte on a high note, currently positioned second in the table with 23 points from 11 matches.

The visitors boast exceptional form, with a six-match winning streak across all competitions, their latest result being a 2-1 win over Vitoria in the Copa do Brasil.

This streak includes victories against Bahia, Independiente Medellin, Fluminense, Cusco, and Santos, showcasing both their offensive prowess and increasing consistency under head coach Leonardo Jardim.

Their recent success extends to this matchup, with Flamengo winning eight of the last 15 encounters against Atletico, and four of the last five away matches versus the team from Minas Gerais.

With confidence high and momentum on their side, Flamengo enters the match as clear favorites to extend their winning streak.

Team News

Atletico Mineiro will be missing Renan Lodi, who is suspended due to a red card received in the previous league match. Patrick remains unavailable due to a knee injury and is not anticipated to return until May.

The home side will look to rely on experienced players like Hulk to drive the attack, despite the ongoing uncertainty regarding his future.

Flamengo, too, faces suspension and injury issues, with Jorge Carrascal out following his dismissal, while Lucas Paqueta is sidelined with a thigh injury and Erick Pulgar continues his recovery from a shoulder injury.

Nonetheless, the visitors possess substantial squad depth, particularly in their attacking lineup, where Pedro is expected to lead the front line after a solid start to the season.

Atletico Mineiro probable starting XI:

Everson; Natanael, Tressoldi, Lyanco, Alonso; Franco, Maycon, Hugo; Reinier, Neck, Hulk

Flamengo probable starting XI:

Rossi; VARELA, Ortiz; PEREIRA, Lucas; ARAÚJO, Saulo; ARAUJO, Arrascaeta, Lino; Pedro

Flamengo’s remarkable form and superior squad depth position them as favorites in this fixture, even while playing away.

Atletico Mineiro has sufficient quality to challenge their opponents, especially in the attacking third, but their inconsistency and off-field distractions may be detrimental against a confident and cohesive side.