Flamengo Host Bragantino at the Maracanã This Sunday

Flamengo and Bragantino face each other this Sunday at 6:30 p.m. (Brasília time) at the Maracanã, in a match valid for round 28 of the Campeonato Brasileiro. The fixture takes the spotlight as the Rubro-Negro deals with two suspensions and an injury, which could alter their usual lineup.

Point of attention: Flamengo's absences

Erick Pulgar and Lucas Paquetá are suspended, while Evertton Araújo remains in recovery. These absences force manager Leonardo Jardim to rethink the midfield for the clash against Red Bull Bragantino.

Possible starters in the Rubro-Negro midfield

Saúl, who came on as a substitute in the victory over Independiente del Valle, is the most likely to start. The Spaniard has reached 12 appearances in 2026, averaging 0.4 key passes and an 82% pass completion rate. Saúl himself admitted he is still working toward peak physical condition after an extended spell on the sidelines.

De la Cruz is also available. In 2026, he has played 20 matches, six as a starter, averaging an 87% pass accuracy and 2.1 ball recoveries per match. The Uruguayan becomes available again after serving the foreigner limit restriction.

Flamengo's probable lineup

Probable lineup: Rossi; Varela, Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira (Danilo), and Ayrton Lucas; Saúl, Jorginho, and Arrascaeta; Bruno Henrique, Plata, and Pedro. Out: Evertton Araújo (injury), Paquetá, Samuel Lino, and Pulgar (suspension). One yellow card away from suspension: Arrascaeta, Carrascal, Luiz Araújo, Plata, and Vitão.

Returning players for Bragantino

Red Bull Bragantino welcomes four players back: center-back Alix Vinícius, left-back Vanderlan, midfielder Rodriguinho, and forward Eduardo Sasha. Alix Vinícius and Rodriguinho are the most likely to start. Vanderlan could replace Juninho Capixaba, who is suspended.

Bragantino's probable lineup

Probable lineup: Volpi; Agustin Sant’Anna, Gustavo Marques, Alix Vinícius, and Vanderlan (Cauê); Fabinho, Rodriguinho, and Lucas Barbosa; Fernando, Herrera, and Isidro Pitta. Absences: Juninho Capixaba (suspended), Wallace Yan (suspended), and Davi Gomes (recovering from surgery). One yellow card away from suspension: Andres Hurtado, Eduardo Sasha, Eric Ramires, Gabriel, Henry Mosquera, Ignacio Sosa, Lucas Barbosa, Matheus Fernandes, and Volpi.

Broadcast and match officials

The match will be broadcast on Premiere and sportv. Officiating will be led by Rodrigo José Pereira de Lima (PE), with assistant referees Bruno Boschilia (PR) and Joverton Wesley de Souza Lima (RO), fourth official Kleber Ariel Gonçalves Silva (PR), and VAR Marco Aurélio Augusto Fazekas Ferreira (MG).

With information from ge, Lance!.