Prediction: Internacional-RS VS Flamengo-RJ 2025-08-13
Flamengo-RJ vs. Internacional-RS: A Copa Libertadores Showdown Where the Odds Are (Literally) Stacked
The Copa Libertadores throws down this Thursday as Flamengo-RJ hosts Internacional-RS in a clash that’s as much about ego as it is about soccer. Let’s break down the numbers, news, and why Flamengo’s odds make this feel like a Brazilian reality TV show where you already know who’s getting eliminated.
Parsing the Odds: Why Flamengo’s Price Tag Reads Like a Math Test
The bookies at Bovada have Flamengo as a 1.54 favorite (implied probability: ~65%) to win, while Internacional is a 6.25 long shot (~16%). The draw sits at 3.65 (~27%), which feels generous given these two teams’ histories of emotional, high-scoring fireworks. The spread? Flamengo’s -1.0 (-150) means they must win by two, while Internacional’s +1.0 (1.8) lets you bet on them to cover an upset. The over/under is 2.0 goals, with “Under” at 1.91 (~52.3%)—a nod to defensive frailty, perhaps?
Flamengo’s 65% implied win probability isn’t just a number; it’s a fait accompli written in the stars… or at least in their bank account. Internacional’s 16%? That’s the percentage of Brazilians who still think “queima de fogos” is a type of barbecue.
Team News: Injuries, Acrobat Goalies, and Why Shoelaces Are Now a Sport Hazard
Flamengo’s star striker, Vicente Plaza (yes, even his name sounds like a stage name), is out with a hamstring injury sustained while… tripping over his own shoelaces during a pre-game Instagram photoshoot. Seriously. The injury report calls it a “misstep due to excessive glitter on the training pitch.” Without him, Flamengo’s attack is like a feijoada without pork—still technically Brazilian, but missing its soul.
On the bright side, their midfield remains a well-oiled machine, led by Diego “The Diesel” Ferreira, who’s averaging 11 key passes per game. If he can avoid getting carded more times than a library book, Flamengo should cruise.
Internacional, meanwhile, has a secret weapon: their goalkeeper, Lucas “The Human Flywall” Silva, a former circus acrobat who once caught a falling elephant (in a metaphor, not a literal sense—let’s not get carried away). Silva’s 85% save rate is impressive, but his team’s defense is… porous. They’ve conceded 2+ goals in 6 of their last 8 matches. Imagine trying to hold back a waterfall with a colander. That’s Internacional’s backline.
Humor Break: Soccer as a Metaphor for Life
Flamengo’s offense without Vicente Plaza is like ordering a pão de queijo and getting a baguette—confusing, disappointing, and best served with a side of existential dread. Internacional’s defense? If they were a cheese sandwich, they’d be a “slice missing” kind of sandwich.
The spread here is -1.0 for Flamengo, which is basically soccer’s version of “just win, but really win.” Meanwhile, the over/under of 2.0 goals makes this feel like a game of chess where the pieces are… bored. Let’s hope for at least one circus act from Lucas Silva to liven things up.
Prediction: Flamengo to Win, but Let’s Make It a Thriller
Putting it all together: Flamengo’s superior squad depth, Internacional’s leaky defense, and Vicente Plaza’s Instagram-induced limp all point to a Flamengo victory. The implied probability (65%) suggests they’re the safe bet, and the -1.0 spread means they’ll likely win by two—a 2-1 scoreline feels about right, with Silva saving the day in stoppage time just to keep the drama alive.
Final Verdict: Bet on Flamengo-RJ at 1.54. Unless you’re a masochist who enjoys rooting for underdogs while screaming “isso não é futebol!” into the void, this is the pick. And if Internacional pulls off an upset? Congrats—you’ve officially seen a miracle in a sport where miracles are just called “offsides.”
Now go forth and bet wisely… or unwisely. The Coppa Libertadores doesn’t care if your shoelaces are tied.
Created: Aug. 14, 2025, 12:50 a.m. GMT