Flamengo's victory against Palmeiras could heat up the leadership of the Brazilian Championship

Flamengo and Palmeiras face each other this Saturday (23), at Maracanã, in the 17th round of the Brazilian Championship. In addition to putting two of the main forces in Brazilian football face to face, the interstate classic could directly move the top of the table.

Current leader of the Brasileirão, Palmeiras has 35 points. Right behind, Flamengo has four less and still one game to play.

Rubro-Negro will still play the postponed match against Mirassol, which remains without a defined date. The difficulty of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) in finding a space on the calendar increases with the classifications of Flamengo and Mirassol in the Copa do Brasil and Libertadores.

If Palmeiras beats, Flamengo will be just one victory away from overtaking Verdão, a scenario that could materialize precisely in the postponed duel against Mirassol.

Palmeiras pressured
In the Brasileirão, Palmeiras is coming off three draws against Cruzeiro, Remo and Santos, and has lost the "fat" advantage it had against Flamengo itself, second placed, and this round's opponent.

With 35 points, Abel Ferreira's team saw Rubro-negro from Rio reach 31 points and pull over.

Leila Pereira is direct about Abel's possible departure from Palmeiras

Source: CNN