Fluminense faces Chapecoense in push for 2027 Libertadores place

Fluminense visits Chapecoense on Saturday in Brazil's Campeonato Brasileiro, with seven league matches remaining.

Fluminense is fifth with 51 points, the last place currently offering a route to the 2027 Copa Libertadores through a qualifying round.

The Rio de Janeiro club can no longer win the league title, so its focus is securing a place in South America's leading club competition.

Chapecoense is bottom of the table, and Fluminense says a win is essential to protect its position.

Fluminense is two points ahead of seventh-place Bahia, while other cup winners could expand the number of league places available.

A university forecast puts Fluminense's Libertadores chances at 63.9%, with a 36.1% chance of reaching the Copa Sudamericana instead.

The team has six more league fixtures after Saturday's match, including games against Cruzeiro and Bragantino.