Nova Iguaçu and Flamengo face each other on the night of this Sunday, January 21, 2024, starting at 6:10 pm, in a game valid for the 2nd round of the Guanabara Cup.
Nova Iguaçu
The Nova Iguaçu team is part of the clubs outside the capital that do not have as much purchasing power to compare themselves on an equal footing with the main teams in the state, however, it tends to be a lot of work whenever they face one of them.
However, the Mechanic Orange ended last season with some good campaigns, however, without managing to achieve any of its main objectives.
This is because the team fell in the semifinals of the Taça Rio after losing to the modest Audax-RJ and even reached the third phase of the Copa do Brasil, pocketing a generous amount of prize money because of this, but fell in the first phase of Series D of the Championship and once again frustrated their fans with an early elimination from the Copa Rio at the end of the year.
However, the team debuted in this edition of Cariocão in the best possible way by managing to defeat Sampaio Corrêa-RJ by a score of 2-1, at home, to join the group of teams tied in number of points in the lead.
In the last 5 times they entered the field officially, 2 wins, 2 draws and only 1 defeat were recorded, beating Americano and Sampaio Corrêa-RJ, drawing with Olaria and also with Americano, in addition to losing to Olaria.
Currently, the club is in third place in the state, with 3 points achieved so far, having the same score as the leader, who has an advantage on goal difference.
Playing as home team, the Nova Iguaçu team has a recent record with 4 wins, 4 draws and only 2 defeats in the last 10 matches played.
Flamengo
While on the other side is Flamengo, however, not the red and black main team, as they traveled to the United States on a pre-season tour.
It was Flamengo’s main squad who defeated Audax-RJ 4-0 in an overwhelming way in the opening round in a practically impeccable collective performance.
The result was a positive surprise and served to leave the club at the top of the state, with 3 points achieved so far, tied with other clubs that also won in their debut, but are worse off on goal difference.
However, the Flamengo team will enter the field with a team made up mainly of young players from the under-20 category, who participated in the first phase of the Copinha and returned to Rio de Janeiro to represent Flamengo in the state championship.
Playing away from home, the Flamengo team recorded a recent campaign with 5 wins, 3 draws and 2 defeats in the last 10 matches played in this condition.
Conclusion:
Therefore, the duel between Nova Iguaçu and Flamengo tends to be more balanced than it would normally be if Rubro-negro entered the field at full strength and, therefore, a very busy match is expected, with at least one goal for each side.