Flamengo vs Nova Iguaçu Prediction: Flamengo already has one hand on the trophy

After a clear 3-0 win over Nova Iguaçu in the first leg, Flamengo almost clinched the Carioca title. Even in a three-goal defeat, Flamengo will still be the champion, having won the Copa Guanabara as the best-placed team in the league stage. Anything can happen in football, but some outcomes are implausible. And the Scarlet-Black losing to a team from a lower division by four goals is practically unthinkable.

The Vulture didn't have the best start to the Copa Libertadores, managing no better than a one-all draw with Millonarios in Bogotá. After a foul in the box by Larry Vásquez that resulted in a red card, Flamengo scored through a penalty by Pedro in the 64th minute. With one more player, Tite's team couldn't hold on to the equalizer, and Millonarios scored in the 80th minute through Daniel Ruiz. Flamengo finally conceded a goal after 12 games. Facing Nova Iguaçu, Tite may make some changes as there is another Copa Libertadores match with Palestino a few days after the Carioca final, and the comfortable lead from the first leg may allow for some rotation of the more tired players.

The Baixada's Clockwork Orange played a magnificent Carioca, and there's no doubt that its fans, even if Nova Iguaçu loses the final, will be proud of this achievement for many years. Beating Flamengo by four goals is daunting, and the Nova Iguaçu players will probably try at least to leave a positive image to end the competition. Only a catastrophe will prevent Flamengo from lifting the trophy, but a draw or even a victory in the match will be, for sure, on the minds of the Nova Iguaçu players.

As the first leg final ended in a 3-0 win for Flamengo, there seems to be no doubt about the Carioca 2024 winner. The Mengão may have to make some changes, as it played a Copa Libertadores match in Colombia a few days ago, and a few days after the final second leg, hosts Palestino also for the South American competition. Flamengo could lose by three goals and still lift the trophy, but I believe Tite wants his players to do everything they can to win the match. Even so, I'm betting on a Double Chance in favor of Flamengo, with a maximum of three goals scored in the game to prevent a small surprise.