The first Fla-Flu Derby of the season comes in the Carioca and although this may not be the biggest event for them this year, a derby is a derby and expect both teams looking to secure the bragging rights in this encounter.

On paper, both teams arrive in red hot form. Both are ten unbeaten this year and are warming up for another Brasileiro season which begins in April.

However, Fluminense have an extremely important match less than 48 hours before they face their arch rivals.

As the Libertadores holders, Fluminense will compete in the Recopa Sudamericana against LDU Quito. The final is held over two legs, and the first is in Ecuador in the early hours of Friday morning.

Fernando Diniz made sure his team travelled to Quito as early as they could (Monday) to try and acclimatise to the high altitude ahead of their first leg. The Brazilian is taking this very seriously – and why wouldn’t he?

Aside from John Kennedy due to his suspension, the whole team has travelled to Quito. However, a week of training in the tough conditions before a hard fought encounter against one of the beat up and coming teams on the continent, Fluminense are in for a long week.

Flu’s team is ageing as well. Marcelo (35), Felipe Melo (40), Keno (34) and Ganso (34), aren’t young anymore. Their ability to bounce back and play two big games in a short period of time isn’t an option anymore.

With such little time in between their first leg and their derby against Flamengo, Diniz will prioritise the Recopa final – so expect plenty of changes for their match against Flamengo.

Flamengo rotated slightly midweek, but will head into this fixture fresh and ready to field their strongest XI.

The bookmakers haven’t caught on, so get on before they do.