Fluminense vs Santos – Brazilian A 

The game between Fluminense and Santos are one of the games that open the 28th round of the Brasileirão, both teams came from a draw in the last game and want to return to the good results for different reasons, Fluminense wants to keep on top of the league while the Santos still believe in title and this game has one of the last chances to fight for him.

Fluminense comes to this game leading the championship with 52 points in 27 games, one more than the Corinthians which is the 2nd place with 3 points less, but with one match less well. The 1-1 draw against the bottom club in the last game, the Gremio Prudente, meant that the team did not take advantage of the bad result from Corinthians against Ceara. So they have no “margin” for error if they want to remain isolated in the lead, and tomorrow they have the first of two tough games, because next weekend the team from Rio de Janeiro faces 3rd placed Cruzeiro.

The Santos are ranked seventh with 39 points, 13 points behind his tomorrow opponent. With the presence in the next edition of the Libertadores Cup guaranteed, because they won the Cup of Brazil, the Santos can only look at the title as more ambitious target at the top of the table, so that tomorrow’s game is extremely important for the ” The Fish. ” The 1-1 draw against Palmeiras in the last game fits well in what have been the last games of the team especially after the departure of Dorival Junior. In the last five games, Santos have won just once having drawn twice and lost two other being certain that the fixture list has not helped (Corinthians, Cruzeiro, Vasco, Palmeiras and Fluminense now) the truth is that the Santos showed many difficulties.

As I said the result of tomorrow’s game will say much about the future of Santos in this competition, if they will fight for the title or if it begins to prepare the next Paulistão and participation in the next year, Libertadores Cup. Maybe that’s why the choice of new coach has not yet been confirmed, with some prompting, talk´s about the possibility of Abel Braga which is connected to an Arab club and would have more chance to return only at the end of the year. If they win tomorrow, they turns to a new name or will try to rescue “Abelaira” to fight for the title.

In Fluminense there are two major low for tomorrow’s game. Deco came out with some complaints of the last game and is out through injury, who joins Mariano that serves the Brazil team. This way the coach of Fluminense will put Carlinhos on the right side, Julio Cesar at the left side and promote the debut of Marquinhos at the midfield. Who still out through injury is the defensive midfielder Emerson and striker Diguinho. Highlight for return of Leandro Eusebio, after punishment, which should lead André Luís to the bench, next to Fred, who returns after long break and therefore still unable to get the holder.

In Santos there are also many casualties, Marquinhos, Marcel and Edu Darcena are low by injury. Instead of Marquinhos should play Alan Patrick who scored the equalizer against Palmeiras. Marcel will see his place taken by Zé Eduardo, while in the defense the replacement of Edu Darcena will be by Vinicius Simon.
Who was injured at the last workout was the usual substitute Beacon Felipe so he also stays out. Kerrison, Rodriguinho, Madsen, Bruno Rodrigues and Paulo Henrique they also still recovering from his long injury.

There are significant casualties on both sides for this match and despite playing for Fluminense in the house and meet some favoritism, the odds do not show the difficulties that Santos can create tomorrow on “Engenhão”. As I have said will be the last chance for Santos enter to enter in the battle for the title by which the players will give the maximum, in the hope too of showing their qualities to a possible new coach in this season yet. Another issue relates to the lawn of Engenhão which has been subjected to many matches and that has been accused of not being in good condition which benefits my bet. I predict a balanced game to give a tie or victory by the minimum margin for one or other team. I think the best option is under, but providing the possibility of a 1-2 or 2-1 and, with this good odds i´m going in under three goals.