Flamengo and Sampaio Corrêa face each other this Saturday, at 9pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã, in the sixth round of Taça Guanabara of Campeonato Carioca 2026. The duel carries decisive weight in the fight for a place in the quarter-finals. Lucas Paquetá is listed and appears as a likely starter in the attacking midfield, even with the official lineup not yet released. The broadcast takes place on Premiere, sportv and ge tv, with real-time coverage on ge.globo including exclusive videos.
Rubro-Negro is going through the worst start to a season in 24 years. Nos eight initial games of 2026, the team has one win, two draws and five defeats, achieving a success rate of 21%. Esse performance is only behind that recorded in 2002. The team enters the round in fifth place in Grupo B, within the relegation risk zone, and depends on a victory combined with favorable combinations in other games to advance.
- Mandatory victory for Flamengo against Sampaio Corrêa.
- Madureira needs to lose to Volta Redonda, with Rubro-Negro reversing a three-goal deficit.
- Boavista should be defeated by Bangu, with two goal difference reversed.
- New Iguaçu can draw or lose to Portuguesa.
Sampaio Corrêa also occupies a complicated position in Grupo A and is looking for victory to raise hopes of qualifying for the quarterfinals. The team from Maranhão arrives motivated to make it difficult for the home team at the stadium.
Lucas Paquetá related and role on the team
Lucas Paquetá appears among those listed and is part of the projections as a starter in the forward frame. The Brazilian midfielder has been an important player in creating plays and connecting with the attack. Sua presence reinforces the offensive potential in a crucial match. The player seeks to dictate the pace and contribute with assists or shots.
Probable lineups for Flamengo
Filipe Luís makes adjustments to compensate for his suboptimal physical conditioning. Danilo returns after resolving particular question. The likely red-black lineup is Rossi; Varela, Léo Pereira, Léo Ortiz (Vitão) and Ayrton Lucas; Pulgar, Evertton Araújo and Arrascaeta (Carrascal); Paquetá (Silver), Samuel Lino (Cebolinha) and Pedro. Desfalques confirmed include Saúl (left ankle), Jorginho (left thigh), and Luiz Araújo (right thigh). Nenhum athlete is hanging.
Variations in the offensive sector and half
Lucas Paquetá acts further forward to connect midfield and attack. Plata appears as an alternative if there is preservation. Samuel Lino and Cebolinha compete for the wings to offer depth. The options aim for greater creativity and quick transitions in Maracanã.
Sampaio Corrêa Expected Lineup
Antônio Carlos Roy maintains the basis of previous rounds with changes to the midfield. Pablo is suspended. The likely lineup for Sampaio Corrêa is Zé Carlos; Lucas Carvalho, Daniel Nunes, Lucas Marreta and Guilherme; Martini, Alexandre Souza and Rodrigo Andrade; Octávio, Luan Gama and Matheus Iacovelli. Pendurados: Daniel Nunes, Luan Gama and Ewerton Potiguar.
Complete refereeing of the match
Alex Gomes Stefano referees the match at Maracanã. The assistants are Júlio César Souza Gaudêncio and Fábio Ramos França. Paulo Renato Moreira from Silva Coelho is responsible for VAR.
Broadcast and how to follow
Fans have several platforms to follow the game. sportv broadcasts on pay TV. Premiere available on pay-per-view. ge tv shows on YouTube. ge.globo offers minute-by-minute updates with video bids and statistics.
The final round of the group stage of Carioca 2026 defines the classifieds. The result directly influences the positions in the groups and the fate of the teams in the competition.
