Flamengo RJ vs Vasco da Gama Prediction, Odds, Betting Tips – Carioca 22/01/2026

Carioca

Flamengo RJ vs Vasco da Gama

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 – 00:30

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2.2

Home

3.2

Draw

2.5

Away

The Flamengo RJ vs Vasco da Gama clash is scheduled for January 22, 2026 some sources list it as starting 00:30 GMT+0, at the iconic Maracanã stadium in Rio de Janeiro, capacity over 78,000. This is a key early-round fixture in the Taça Guanabara phase of the Campeonato Carioca 2026, the traditional Rio state championship where both teams aim to build momentum and secure strong positioning in their respective groups before the knockout stages. Referee Bruno Arleu de Araújo will officiate, assisted by Thiago Henrique Neto Corrêa Farinha and Hugo Filemon Soares Pinto a crew known for strict card discipline in high-stakes Carioca derbies.

BETTING TIPS AND MATCH INSIGHTS

Flamengo vs Vasco da Gama prediction today focuses on a competitive derby with value in goals and cards given the rivalry history. Recent results show Flamengo struggling slightly in Carioca openers while Vasco has shown mixed but solid returns. Head-to-heads often end tight, with draws common in the last few meetings. Key insights include Flamengo’s home strength at Maracanã and Vasco’s ability to frustrate bigger sides early in the year. Bettors should watch for line movements closer to kickoff as team news emerges on injuries and rotations.

Flamengo Results

Flamengo enters this derby after a mixed start to the Carioca campaign, blending competitive displays with unexpected slips against lower-tier sides. The team has shown flashes of quality but needs consistency to assert dominance in the state league.

Flamengo has won just once in their last five outings across competitions, suffering back-to-back Carioca losses to Volta Redonda and Bangu. Defensive issues stand out with three goals conceded in the most recent defeat. The draw against Portuguesa shows resilience at home, but the overall run highlights vulnerability early in 2026. Recent international friendlies add fatigue concerns. Flamengo must tighten defensively to reclaim form against a motivated rival.

Vasco Results

Vasco has displayed resilience in the opening Carioca matches, mixing solid home performances with draws that preserve points. The side looks competitive despite a tougher end to 2025.

Vasco secured a convincing home win over Marica but followed with a goalless stalemate against Nova Iguacu. The late-2025 Copa run ended without major breakthroughs. Draws dominate recent results, pointing to defensive organization but limited cutting edge. The team shows fight in big games, which could trouble Flamengo if the hosts lack sharpness.

Who will win Thursday’s Carioca clash between Flamengo RJ and Vasco da Gama?

Flamengo RJ > Draw > Vasco da Gama >

Flamengo RJ

43%

Draw

25%

Vasco da Gama

32%

Head-to-Head: Flamengo RJ vs Vasco da Gama (Last 5 Matches)

Recent clashes between Flamengo RJ and Vasco da Gama have been tight affairs, often low-scoring with draws prominent in the latest series.

Flamengo remains unbeaten in the last five meetings (3 wins, 2 draws), dominating at home with clean sheets in earlier Carioca clashes. Vasco has struggled to score consistently against them. The pattern suggests Flamengo holds the psychological edge, though recent draws indicate Vasco can grind out results.

Predicted Possible Starting Lineups for Flamengo RJ vs Vasco da Gama

These are the predicted or possible starting lineups for the Flamengo RJ vs Vasco da Gama match in the Campeonato Carioca (Taça Guanabara) on January 22, 2026 (kickoff around 21:30 BRT / 00:30 UTC on 22nd). Since this is an early-season state derby with the main squads still ramping up post-pre-season and many senior players unavailable due to injuries or rotation, both teams are expected to field youth-heavy or reserve sides managed by assistant/coach Bruno Pivetti for Flamengo. Lineups are based on recent Carioca appearances, team news, and reports from sources like 365Scores and media previews. Actual confirmed XI will be announced closer to kickoff.

Flamengo RJ possible starting lineup

Nannetti (GK), Sales (DF), Victor (DF), Teodoro (DF), Carbone (DF), Lucio (MF), Nobrega (MF), Telles (MF), Joshua (FW), Gomes (FW), Alan (FW)

Vasco possible starting lineup

Jardim (GK), Luis (DF), Freitas (DF), Saldivia (DF), Rodriguez (DF), Maura (MF), Tche (MF), Franca (MF), Garre (FW), David (FW), GB (FW)

Key Match Insights and Factors to Watch

This derby arrives early in the Carioca season, with both sides managing rotations and monitoring fitness after the off-season. Several elements could swing the balance in this high-stakes encounter.

• Flamengo deals with multiple injuries: key players like Erick Pulgar (injury), Danilo (knee), Pedro (arm), Saúl Ñíguez (heel) are sidelined or doubtful until early February.
• Vasco faces absences too: Jair, Adson, and others listed as injured or recovering, potentially weakening midfield depth.
• Flamengo’s recent form shows defensive leaks (conceding in three straight Carioca games) amid a winless run in state play.
• Vasco builds on a strong home win but lacks consistency away in big fixtures.
• Home advantage at Maracanã favors Flamengo, where they historically perform strongly in derbies.
• Motivation is high for both: Flamengo seeks to rebound from early losses, Vasco aims to upset and gain early momentum.
• Referee Bruno Arleu de Araújo tends toward strict card counts in Carioca classics, increasing over cards potential.
• Early-season fatigue from friendlies and rotations could lead to cautious approaches and under 2.5 goals trends.

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Free Tips on Flamengo RJ vs Vasco da Gama

This section delivers practical, match-specific free betting tips drawn directly from the statistics of recent performances, head-to-head encounters, and underlying data for Flamengo RJ vs Vasco da Gama. By examining form trends, productivity in clashes, and key influencing elements like venue dynamics, these insights help identify potential edges without overlapping broader factors already covered. Focus remains on patterns that emerge from the numbers and historical context of this Carioca derby.

• Leverage Flamengo’s home H2H dominance — In the last five meetings, Flamengo stayed unbeaten (3 wins, 2 draws), often keeping clean sheets at Maracanã in Carioca fixtures; this supports leaning toward home-side outcomes or low-scoring Vasco attacks.
• Consider low-goal trends in recent derbies — Three of the past five H2H ended with under 2.5 goals total, including back-to-back draws with one goal or fewer combined; early-season caution often keeps matches tight despite the rivalry intensity.
• Account for Flamengo’s current scoring struggles in Carioca — The hosts have managed only two goals across their last three state games (with losses conceding five), suggesting value in under markets or Vasco to limit damage despite absences.
• Monitor Vasco’s away resilience in tight contests — Vasco has drawn three of their last five overall outings, including recent clean-sheet efforts; this points to potential BTTS-No or draw-no-bet appeal if Flamengo’s attack remains blunt.
• Factor in the refreshed Maracanã pitch favoring controlled play — With recent maintenance and re-sodding completed just before the match, expect smoother ball movement that suits Flamengo’s possession style over chaotic end-to-end action, tilting toward under goals or fewer big chances created.

Flamengo RJ vs Vasco da Gama Match Prediction

Flamengo RJ vs Vasco da Gama odds reflect Flamengo as favorites given home advantage and historical superiority in recent H2H, despite current form dips. Flamengo should control possession at Maracanã and exploit Vasco’s injury-hit squad, though Vasco’s defensive setup has forced draws lately. Expect a tight first half before Flamengo breaks through, likely via set-piece or individual quality. The hosts’ attacking options, even rotated, outweigh Vasco’s current limitations. A narrow Flamengo win feels most probable, with goals possibly limited by cautious early-season tactics. Flamengo RJ vs Vasco da Gama odds favor the home side on handicap or win markets, but value lies in Flamengo to score first or over cards due to derby tension. Overall, Flamengo edges it 2-1 or 1-0, capitalizing on home crowd and superior depth despite injuries.

Our Prediction: Flamengo RJ 1-0 Vasco da Gama

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