Fluminense vs Vasco da Gama

The Clássico dos Gigantes returns to the Maracanã for round 26 of the Brasileirão, with very different stakes on each side. Fluminense sit fourth with 41 points from 24 games, chasing a top-four finish, while Vasco are 16th on 22 points, still battling to escape the relegation zone. Fluminense arrive in good shape, with wins over Remo and Palmeiras and draws against Independiente Rivadavia and Botafogo. Vasco was thrashed 4-1 by leaders Palmeiras last time out, though it can lean on recent history against this rival — a 3-1 aggregate win in the Copa do Brasil weeks ago, sparked by a Brenner brace and a goal from Puma Rodríguez, with Martinelli replying for the Tricolor. The rivalry itself runs deep: 371 meetings all-time, Vasco just ahead with 147 wins to 118. Fluminense head in as favorites given the table, but Vasco has already shown it can cause an upset this year. Our prediction: 2-1