Sofia Quijada
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Flamengo – RJ host Independiente del Valle in the CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores on Friday 18 September 2026, and our predicted lineups for both sides expose a sharp contrast in how settled each squad currently looks. Flamengo – RJ’s shape has barely moved over recent matches, while Independiente del Valle’s coaching staff have rotated far more, and that gap runs through this entire preview. What follows is our projection built from recent starts, not an official team sheet from either club.
Predicted Flamengo – RJ Line-up
Leonardo Jardim is expected to stick with his preferred 4-2-3-1 shape, the formation this projection is built around. The side is largely settled, with 9 of the projected XI starting their last match, underlining how little Jardim has needed to tinker lately. Agustín Rossi has started all six matches used here and is about as close to certain as this projection gets in goal, while further along the back line Guillermo Varela has featured in only three of the six, making his inclusion the more uncertain call in an otherwise settled XI.
Flamengo – RJ predicted XI: Agustín Rossi; Léo Ortiz, Ayrton Lucas, Léo Pereira, Guillermo Varela; Samuel Lino, Giorgian de Arrascaeta, Erick Pulgar, Lucas Paquetá, Jorginho; Pedro
| Line | # | Player | Starts in last 6 | Last 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | 1 | Agustín Rossi | 6/6 | 3/3 |
| D | 3 | Léo Ortiz | 6/6 | 3/3 |
| D | 6 | Ayrton Lucas | 6/6 | 3/3 |
| D | 4 | Léo Pereira | 4/6 | 2/3 |
| D | 2 | Guillermo Varela | 3/6 | 1/3 |
| M | 16 | Samuel Lino | 6/6 | 3/3 |
| M | 10 | Giorgian de Arrascaeta | 5/6 | 3/3 |
| M | 5 | Erick Pulgar | 5/6 | 2/3 |
| M | 20 | Lucas Paquetá | 4/6 | 2/3 |
| M | 21 | Jorginho | 4/6 | 2/3 |
| F | 9 | Pedro | 5/6 | 2/3 |
Independiente del Valle Predicted XI
Joaquín Papa’s Independiente del Valle have generally lined up in a 4-3-3, and that is the shape underpinning this expected XI. The projection is still largely settled, with 8 of the projected XI starting their last match, though the underlying start counts are lower across the board than Flamengo’s. Aldair Quintana has started every one of the six matches used in this projection and is the nearest thing to a lock in this side, whereas Yandri Vásquez has just one start across the same span yet still takes a forward berth after featuring in the most recent game.
Independiente del Valle predicted XI: Aldair Quintana; Jhon Espinoza, Gustavo Orlando Cortez, Juan Viacava, Richard Schunke; Youri Ochoa, Matias Mijail Perello, Ronald Briones; Carlos González, Yandri Vásquez, Djorkaeff Reascos
| Line | # | Player | Starts in last 6 | Last 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | 1 | Aldair Quintana | 6/6 | 3/3 |
| D | 4 | Jhon Espinoza | 3/6 | 2/3 |
| D | 15 | Gustavo Orlando Cortez | 3/6 | 2/3 |
| D | 23 | Juan Viacava | 3/6 | 2/3 |
| D | 5 | Richard Schunke | 4/6 | 1/3 |
| M | 8 | Youri Ochoa | 3/6 | 2/3 |
| M | 11 | Matias Mijail Perello | 3/6 | 2/3 |
| M | 16 | Ronald Briones | 3/6 | 2/3 |
| F | 9 | Carlos González | 3/6 | 1/3 |
| F | 52 | Yandri Vásquez | 1/6 | 1/3 |
| F | 99 | Djorkaeff Reascos | 2/6 | 1/3 |
Team News and Confirmed Absentees
Evertton Araújo is out injured, thinning Flamengo – RJ’s midfield options for this trip. Jorge Carrascal, who has started four of the club’s last six matches, looks the bench option best placed to step into that role if Jardim needs a change.
| Player | Pos | Status | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evertton Araújo | M | injured | Thigh problems |
Juan Cazares, Guido Villar, Jean Arroyo and Patrik Mercado are out injured, a run of absences that hits Independiente del Valle’s midfield hardest and also removes a goalkeeping option. Junior Sornoza, who has started three of the six matches used in this projection, is among the bench players best placed to come in and fill that gap.
| Player | Pos | Status | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Juan Cazares | M | injured | Inner ligament injury |
| Guido Villar | G | injured | Jumpers knee |
| Jean Arroyo | M | injured | Broken tibia and fibula |
| Patrik Mercado | M | injured | Cruciate Ligament Rupture |
How We Predict These XIs
Both predicted line-ups here are built from the last six matches available for Flamengo – RJ and Independiente del Valle, with more recent matches weighted more heavily than older ones. Players confirmed as injured or suspended are removed before the projection is calculated, so they never appear in the expected XI. This team news and projection are not an official announcement and can shift before kickoff once the clubs confirm their actual sides.
Read also: Flamengo – RJ vs Independiente del Valle Head-to-Head: Record, Stats & Form
Read also: Flamengo RJ vs Independiente del Valle Prediction: 18.09.2026 Copa Libertadores
FAQ
Who is predicted to start in goal for Flamengo – RJ vs Independiente del Valle?
Agustín Rossi is projected to start in goal for Flamengo – RJ, while Aldair Quintana is projected to start for Independiente del Valle, both having started all six matches used in this projection.
What formation are Flamengo – RJ and Independiente del Valle expected to play?
Flamengo – RJ are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 under Leonardo Jardim, while Independiente del Valle are projected in a 4-3-3 under Joaquín Papa.
Which players are unavailable for Flamengo – RJ vs Independiente del Valle?
Evertton Araújo is out injured for Flamengo – RJ, while Juan Cazares, Guido Villar, Jean Arroyo and Patrik Mercado are all out injured for Independiente del Valle.
When do Flamengo – RJ and Independiente del Valle kick off?
The Copa Libertadores meeting between Flamengo – RJ and Independiente del Valle kicks off on Friday 18 September 2026.