Champions Flamengo have started the 2021 season in style winning the Super Cup and Campeonato Carioca as well as qualifying for the Copa Libertadores knockout stages with no real problems. Rubro-Negro will be hoping to make a solid start to their league campaign as they aim for a third straight league title.

Palmeiras have been unpredictable following last seasons Copa Libertadores and Copa do Brazil triumphs. Verdão suffered a penalty shootout loss to Flamengo in the Supercup, and last week they tasted defeat at the hands of bitter rivals, Sao Paulo, in the Campeonato Paulista final. In this fixture last season, Palmeiras suffered a 2-0 defeat and will not want a repeat of that result.