Brazilian Cup: A guide to its biggest final ever
According to all the opinion polls, they are by far the two most supported clubs in the country. Recent figures published in July by O Globo newspaper put Flamengo first with the preference of 21.8% of the population (about 46 million supporters). Corinthians come second with 15.5% (33 million people), almost eight percentage points (or 15 million supporters) ahead of São Paulo FC in a distant third.
But despite being top contenders in every national competition since the beginning of last century, the two giants never met in a final, except from a minor (and defunct until a couple of years ago) trophy called Supercopa do Brasil (equivalent to the Community Shield in England, but without any frenzy).
In the Supercopa of 1991, Corinthians beat Flamengo 1-0 in a game that felt like a friendly - only two thousand people attended.
The highest profile play-off match between the two so far was earlier this year when they met at the Libertadores quarter-finals, which Flamengo won 3-0 on aggregate.
Now the stakes are higher. Think of 2002 when Germany and Brazil clashed in a World Cup final for the first time.
Overall, Corinthians and Flamengo met in a playoff matchup in a Brazilian or South American tournament only eight times. The club of Rio de Janeiro have a small edge, as they knocked out their rivals of Sao Paulo on five occasions.
Both have won the Brazilian Cup - which has been running only since 1989 - three times. And Flamengo lost four finals, while Corinthians lost three.
As Palmeiras ran away on the top of the national league, the Brazilian Cup final was already the main event of the national calendar even before Flamengo and Corinthians went through the semifinals. Now the final is set to be the biggest in the Cup's young history.
Who is the favourite?
Flamengo come in as a clear favourite, given that the club of Rio is appearing in the Libertadores final as well, and has been one of the dominant sides in Brazil and South America for the past three years.
But Corinthians improved their game quite a bit since they lost to Flamengo in the Libertadores in August and have the best record in the country when it comes to home matches.
And the fact that Flamengo is fighting for its second Libertadores title in four years can give the team of Sao Paulo a hand, given that the South American final - which is Flamengo's clear priority - is looming only nine days after the Brazilian Cup final second leg.
Who are the starters?
Corinthians have two Brazilian internationals: right-back Fagner and midfielder Renato Augusto (both went to Russia 2018 with Tite). Goalkeeper Cássio (who is the player who won the most titles in the club's history), Argentine midfielder Fausto Vera and strikers Roger Guedes and Yuri Alberto are in great shape.
Flamengo's squad is more star-studded. They have Chilean star Arturo Vidal (who is a luxurious sub), former Arsenal and Chelsea defender David Luiz, former Atletico Madrid left-back Filipe Luís, Uruguayan international Arrascaeta and two impressive scorers in front: Gabriel Barbosa and the Brazilian team rising star Pedro.
The first clash between the titans is on Wednesday, with the second leg following next week.
