Rafael Nogueira
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Fluminense host Palmeiras in the CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores on Thursday 15 October 2026, and our predicted lineups for both sides are shaped as much by who is missing as by who is in form. Fluminense’s selection puzzle is the sharper of the two: three forwards and a first-choice left-back are all unavailable, forcing Marcão into choices further up the pitch, while Abel Ferreira’s absentee list is shorter and less disruptive. With kickoff just over a day away, these projections are built from recent starts rather than any official team sheet.
Fluminense Predicted XI
Fluminense are projected in a 4-2-3-1, which doubles as Marcão’s preferred shape. The side looks largely settled, with 9 of the projected XI starting their last match, and the spine of the team is consistent: Fábio Deivson Lopes Maciel has started all four matches used in this sample and three of his last three, while Julian Millan has matched that near-ever-present record at full-back. Further forward, Yeferson Soteldo’s involvement has dipped slightly to one start in his last three, but he still edges into the expected XI on recent minutes.
Fluminense predicted XI: Fábio Deivson Lopes Maciel; Julian Millan, Guilherme Arana, Thiago Silva, Samuel Xavier Brito; Matheus Martinelli Lima, Agustín Canobbio, Luciano Acosta, Gustavo Nonato Santana, Yeferson Soteldo; Hulk
| Line | # | Player | Starts in last 4 | Last 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | 1 | Fábio Deivson Lopes Maciel | 4/4 | 3/3 |
| D | 29 | Julian Millan | 4/4 | 3/3 |
| D | 13 | Guilherme Arana | 2/4 | 2/3 |
| D | 3 | Thiago Silva | 3/4 | 2/3 |
| D | 2 | Samuel Xavier Brito | 2/4 | 2/3 |
| M | 8 | Matheus Martinelli Lima | 4/4 | 3/3 |
| M | 17 | Agustín Canobbio | 3/4 | 2/3 |
| M | 32 | Luciano Acosta | 2/4 | 2/3 |
| M | 16 | Gustavo Nonato Santana | 2/4 | 2/3 |
| M | 30 | Yeferson Soteldo | 2/4 | 1/3 |
| F | 7 | Hulk | 3/4 | 2/3 |
Palmeiras Predicted Lineup
Palmeiras also line up in a 4-2-3-1 under Abel Ferreira, and the data points to a settled side – 10 of the projected XI started their last match. Carlos Miguel and Alexander Barboza have both started all four games in the sample, and Andreas Pereira, Lucas Evangelista and José Manuel López have matched that record in midfield, underlining how little rotation this group has seen recently. Vitor Roque has started three of the last three and leads the line in this expected XI.
Palmeiras predicted XI: Carlos Miguel; Alexander Barboza, Gustavo Gómez, Murilo Cerqueira Paim, Bruno Fuchs; Andreas Pereira, Lucas Evangelista, José Manuel López, Agustin Giay, Jhon Arias; Vitor Roque
| Line | # | Player | Starts in last 4 | Last 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | 1 | Carlos Miguel | 4/4 | 3/3 |
| D | 2 | Alexander Barboza | 4/4 | 3/3 |
| D | 15 | Gustavo Gómez | 3/4 | 3/3 |
| D | 26 | Murilo Cerqueira Paim | 3/4 | 2/3 |
| D | 3 | Bruno Fuchs | 1/4 | 0/3 |
| M | 8 | Andreas Pereira | 4/4 | 3/3 |
| M | 30 | Lucas Evangelista | 4/4 | 3/3 |
| M | 42 | José Manuel López | 4/4 | 3/3 |
| M | 4 | Agustin Giay | 3/4 | 2/3 |
| M | 11 | Jhon Arias | 3/4 | 2/3 |
| F | 9 | Vitor Roque | 3/4 | 3/3 |
Team News and Confirmed Absentees
Alisson, Germán Ezequiel Cano Recalde, Matheus Reis and John Kennedy are out injured, while Renê Rodrigues Martins is unavailable through suspension – a run of absences that hits Fluminense’s forward options hardest, with three of the five missing players usually operating up front, and also removes a regular left-back. Among the bench options, Kevin Serna, who has two starts in the matches used here, looks best placed to provide cover given the gaps in the forward line.
| Player | Pos | Status | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Renê Rodrigues Martins | D | suspended | Inactive |
| Alisson | M | injured | Hip injury |
| Germán Ezequiel Cano Recalde | F | injured | Hamstring Injury |
| Matheus Reis | F | injured | Jumpers knee |
| John Kennedy | F | injured | Jumpers knee |
Vitor dos Santos Figueiredo and Jefte Vital da Silva Dias are out injured for Palmeiras, thinning the midfield and defensive options respectively, though the impact on the projected XI is limited. Joaquín Piquerez, who has started three of the four matches used in this sample from the bench, is the clearest candidate to step into a defensive role if needed.
| Player | Pos | Status | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vitor dos Santos Figueiredo | M | injured | |
| Jefte Vital da Silva Dias | D | injured | Jumpers knee |
How These Line-ups Were Picked
Each predicted lineup draws on the last four matches available for that team, with more recent appearances weighted more heavily than older ones when working out who starts. Any player confirmed injured or suspended has been removed from contention regardless of recent starts. This remains a projection rather than a confirmed team news, and it can and will change once the official lineups are announced closer to kickoff.
Read also: Fluminense vs Palmeiras Head-to-Head: Record, Stats & Form as of 13 Oct 2026
Read also: Fluminense RJ vs Palmeiras Prediction: 15.10.2026 Copa Libertadores Semifinal
FAQ
Who is predicted to start in goal for Fluminense and Palmeiras?
Fábio Deivson Lopes Maciel is projected in goal for Fluminense and Carlos Miguel for Palmeiras, both having started all four matches used in this sample.
What formation are Fluminense and Palmeiras expected to use?
Both sides are projected in a 4-2-3-1, matching the preferred formations of Marcão and Abel Ferreira respectively.
Who is unavailable for Fluminense vs Palmeiras?
Fluminense are without Alisson, Germán Ezequiel Cano Recalde, Matheus Reis and John Kennedy through injury and Renê Rodrigues Martins through suspension, while Palmeiras are missing Vitor dos Santos Figueiredo and Jefte Vital da Silva Dias, both injured.
When do Fluminense and Palmeiras play and where can I check predicted lineups and team news?
The match kicks off on Thursday 15 October 2026, and predicted lineups and team news for both sides are set out above ahead of the game.