Last Updated on September 1, 2023 2:11 pm by Erwin Noguera
Two teams that have their mind on international cups will face this weekend. Fluminense has entered an irregular moment of the season, but matchday 22 of the Brasileirão presents an opportunity to recover when they host Fortaleza.
The ‘Tricolor’ is coming off a 2-2 away draw with Athletico-PR, which dropped them to fifth place and left them out of the Copa Libertadores direct qualifying spots for the moment.
‘Leão do Pici’ obtained an important 3-1 win over Coritiba at home, moving up to eighth place in Brazilian soccer, five points behind the ‘Flu’.
When:
Sunday, September 3 at 3:00 pm ET at the Estadio Maracanã
Moneyline odds:
Fluminense -117
Fortaleza +333
Draw Offs:
+245
Where Can I Watch?
Paramount+, Premiere 2, and ViX
Why Bet on Fluminense?
Fluminense is far from the possibility of being the leader in the Brasileirão, as it is 16 points behind the first, Botafogo, so it has put its chips on winning the Copa Libertadores, where it is in the semifinals after eliminating Olimpia with a 6-2 aggregate score. This Thursday they won 1-3 in Paraguay.
In its last league game, the ‘Flu’ drew 2-2 with Athletico Paranaense, throwing away in added time a victory that was in the bag thanks to goals by Guga and Joao Neto. Coach Fernando Diniz decided to use substitutes and that point has the Rio de Janeiro team in fifth place with 35 units.
Although striker Germán Cano’s scoring rate has dropped, with seven goals this season, Fluminense has the fifth-best offense in the league, with 30 goals scored. In addition, their 22 goals conceded make the club the eighth-best defense, although it has conceded goals in the last four matches. To continue talking about Cano, the Argentine scored a brace against Olimpia and is the top scorer in the Copa Libertadores with 9 goals in 9 games.
The good news for coach Diniz is that winger Jhon Arias returns from suspension. Jorge and Marcelo are injured, as well as Ganso, who was out with a knock from his match in Paraguay.
Why Bet on Fortaleza?
Fortaleza, under the command of Juan Pablo Vojvoda, has established itself as one of the toughest teams in the Brasileirão and is constantly fighting for access to international tournaments.
The ‘Tricolor do Pici’ has just defeated Coritiba 3-1 with goals by Juan Martín Lucero (2) and Marinho, and is therefore in eighth place with 32 points, qualifying for the next Copa Sudamericana. Precisely in this cup, on Thursday they eliminated América Mineiro by beating them 2-1 (5-2) and will now face Corinthians in the semifinals.
Although their offensive level is not among the league’s elite, their defense is. So far the team has conceded 20 goals, only behind Botafogo, Palmeiras, and Atlético Mineiro in this category. However, they have been inconsistent visitors, taking 11 points from 30, winning three games, and scoring just eight goals in 10 matches.
Vojvoda has two long-term absentees: midfielder Hercules and striker Pedro Rocha, both of whom have significant knee injuries.
Final Betting Analysis: Fluminense vs. Fortaleza
Fluminense is the second-best home team in the Brasileirão with eight wins and 27 points, only behind Botafogo. Both teams are alive in international competitions, to the point where their minds may be more focused over there, so there’s no major difference in stamina. In this sense, the local team should get the win, and we expect a 3-1.
The numbers at MyBookie.ag have Fluminense as the favorite, as the Moneyline for them shows -117, meanwhile Fortaleza has +333 and the draw is +245.
The only match of the year between the two ended with Fortaleza winning 4-2, with goals from Thiago Galhardo, Moisés (2), and Hercules, injured today. The last five matches of the ‘Fluzao’ at the Maracanã in all competitions were won by the home team.
Go for a straight win for Fluminense in the Moneyline. If you bet $100 at -117, you will gain $85 for a total payout of $185.
EN 
ES 
PT