Flamengo and Sampaio Corrêa face each other this Saturday, at 9pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã, for the sixth round of Taça Guanabara of Campeonato Carioca 2026. The duel decides the direction in the fight for classification to the quarter-finals. Luiz Araújo segue fora por dores musculares na coxa direita, com lesão confirmada por exames, e não joga hoje, mesmo sem escalação oficial divulgada, indicando desfalque certo. The broadcast takes place on Premiere, sportv and ge tv, with detailed real time on ge.globo including exclusive videos.
Rubro-Negro records its worst start to a season in 24 years. Nos first eight games of 2026, totaling one win, two draws and five defeats, with a 21% success rate. The index is second only to the bad one in 2002. The team occupies fifth place in Grupo B, in the risk zone, and needs to win together with favorable combinations in other clashes to advance.
- Mandatory victory for Flamengo over Sampaio Corrêa.
- Madureira should lose to Volta Redonda, with three goal difference reversed by Rubro-Negro.
- Boavista needs to fall to Bangu, with two goal difference reversed.
- New Iguaçu can draw or lose to Portuguesa.
Sampaio Corrêa is fighting against relegation in Grupo A and needs to win to keep the chance of the quarterfinals alive. The visitor arrives ready to make things difficult for the home team at the stadium.
Luiz Araújo out and attacking options
Luiz Araújo had pain in his right thigh after recent games and tests detected a small muscle injury. The attacker stays away and joins the absences in the medical department. The absence limits offensive options for Filipe Luís. The number 7 had few minutes in 2026 and continues to recover.
Probable lineups for Flamengo
Filipe Luís adjusts the team to compensate for the still irregular physical conditioning. Danilo returns after private 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. Outros absences are Saúl (left ankle) and Jorginho (left thigh). Nenhum hanging.
Alternatives in the offensive sector
Samuel Lino and Cebolinha compete for a spot on the wing to make up for the absence of Luiz Araújo. Plata comes in as an option to vary the attack. Arrascaeta can have minutes set. The changes seek to maintain aggressiveness and control in the Maracanã.
Expected formation of Sampaio Corrêa
Antônio Carlos Roy repeats the recent base with an adjustment in the middle. Pablo is suspended. The likely visiting lineup includes 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.
Confrontation refereeing
Alex Gomes Stefano referees the match. Assistentes: Júlio César Souza Gaudêncio and Fábio Ramos França. VAR: Paulo Renato Moreira from Silva Coelho.
Transmission and monitoring
The game arrives on multiple platforms. sportv broadcasts on pay TV. Premiere offers pay-per-view. ge tv shows on YouTube. ge.globo provides minute-by-minute coverage with video bidding.
The game ends the group stage of Carioca 2026. Resultados parallels define classifieds and avoid relegation.
