Madureira vs Fluminense Prediction: This game is crucial for Fluminense

By drawing with Vasco da Gama at home in the last round, Fluminense allowed rival Flamengo to catch up in first place with 18 points. Both teams have five victories and three draws without any defeat. Flamengo is in first place due to goal difference. In Round 10, there will be a Clássico Fla-Flu that could decide the winner of the Guanabara Cup. Whoever finishes first at the end of the 11 rounds of the regular phase will take that trophy. The top four in the regular phase qualify for the knockout phase of the Campeonato Carioca, which will then be decided in the semi-finals and final. This game is crucial for Fluminense to reach the classic in the best possible position, hoping for Flamengo to slip up.

The Tricolor Suburbano ruined its chances of qualification by losing away to second-from-bottom Sampaio Corrêa. If it had won, Madureira would have been just one point off fourth place, which Botafogo occupies on 14 points. With 13 points, Vasco da Gama and Portuguesa RJ are looking to climb into the qualifying places. Madureira has 10 points and must beat Fluminense to keep hope alive. There are only three rounds to go in the Carioca regular phase. The team started the competition well but hasn't won in the last three matches.

Fernando Diniz's team could do no better than draw 0-0 against rival Vasco da Gama in the Giants' Classic. The result allowed Flamengo to equal Fluminense on points and move into first place due to goal difference. The Tricolor will play four matches in a row at the Maracanã. The first match was a draw with Vasco, and the second, against Madureira, must be won. The last two will be against Flamengo and Botafogo, and those clashes will decide Fluminense's final place in the Copa Guanabara, as qualification for the semi-finals is not in danger.

Madureira hasn't beaten Fluminense in ten years. In the last eleven games, the current Copa Libertadores champion has won eight and drawn three and is the favorite for this match. The draw with Vasco da Gama leaves no room for error, as Flamengo has the same points. I'm backing Fluminense to win, adding a maximum of four goals to the bet to raise the odds.