Flamengo vs. Bolivar: Match Preview, Odds & Predictions

On Thursday night, Flamengo of Brazil will play host to Bolivar at Estadio Jornalista Mario Filho in the opening leg of their round-of-16 Copa Libertadores encounter.

As they enter the elimination round, the 2022 continental champions are winless in their last three matches. They will face a team looking for its fourth straight victory across all competitions.

Previous matches and head-to-head

Flamengo had won four in a row going into August, while Mengao had slowed down since beating Palmeiras 2-0 in the first leg of the Copa do Brasil semifinals.

Following that victory, Tite's squad has gone scoreless in two games and is winless in three games coming into Thursday night's contest. They lost 1-0 to a hot Sao Paulo and 1-0 to Palmeiras in their domestic cup second-leg match.

The Brazilian side is in a dangerous situation going into next week's rematch in La Paz, even though their Copa do Brasil defeat is not killing them since they progressed 2-1 on aggregate.

Despite the disappointing results, the hosts hope to win their fourth straight Copa Libertadores in Rio de Janeiro. They won their group at home without allowing a goal.

A 4-0 win against Thursday's opponents was part of one of those games, and if they can replicate that performance, they will go to the next round unless La Paz has a total meltdown.

Bolivar hopes to avoid a crushing defeat at the hands of Tite's players in Brazil so that they may be confident going into next week's rematch in Rio.

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The Bolivian team finished first in Group E after defeating Flamengo, but they will have to play the defending Libertadores champions in the first round of elimination.

Flavio Robatto's squad is in a good position in the return leg thanks to a three-game winning run and their opponent's continuing slump. Both of these suggest a more favorable end than May's result.

With a perfect home record against Flamengo—a 3-1 victory in 1983, a 1-0 victory in 2014, and a 2-1 victory four months ago—the visiting team knows how crucial it is to shock Tite's men at the Maracana.

Bolivar won 4-0 against Palestino and drew 1-1 with Millonarios on the road in the group stage. They lost heavily to Flamengo, which placed them in danger of first position; they will be hoping this was an aberration going into their match against Brazil.

Flamengo x Bolivar Team News

Right back for Flamengo Along with Everton's Achilles, Guillermo Varela will not be able to play for the Brazilian side because of a hip problem.

Only striker Pedro (five goals) from Mengao scored multiple goals in the group stage; Tite's squad will hope that he can continue his stellar performance and score even more goals.

Robatto can have a healthy team for Thursday night's Libertadores last-16 encounter against Flamengo since Bolivar has no rumoured injury concerns.

After selling Francisco da Costa, the Bolivian team may look on Bruno Savio (three goals in the group stage) and Alfio Oviedo (two goals in five games since joining the club in July) to shoulder the offensive load. Bruno scored five goals in the group stage, while Alfio scored twice in five.

Our Predictions

Bolivar to win @

After facing their local rivals in two of their three winless streaks, Flamengo will be weary of seeing Palmeiras.

Tite's squad should get back on track against Bolivar on Thursday, hoping to put their recent slump in the past and keep their undefeated continental run going at home. Bolivar is in great form.

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