Flamengo lead the Brasileirão on five wins and +32
Flamengo sit first with 60 points from 28 games, 18 wins and a goal difference of +32.
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Flamengo are top of the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A after 28 rounds, and the numbers behind the position are not close to subtle.
60 points. 18 wins, 6 draws, 4 defeats. 55 goals scored, 23 conceded, a difference of +32. Five straight wins, 5W, the longest current run in the division.
The most recent of those came at home against Bragantino on Sunday 20 September, finished 2-1. It was matchday 28, and it kept the gap at the top intact rather than extending it.
Split the season in two and the shape holds. At home 10 wins, 3 draws, 1 loss. Away, 8 wins, 4 draws, 3 defeats. Only one home defeat in 28 matches is the line that explains the rest.
Behind them, Palmeiras have 57 points and a goal difference of +26. Three points is the whole cushion. Paranaense are third on 49, Fluminense fourth on 48, then Bahia on 46 and Cruzeiro on 45.
Pedro has 16 league goals for Flamengo, second in the scoring list behind Kevin Viveros of Paranaense on 18. Gabriel Barbosa of Santos has 11, with Carlos Vinícius on 10 and Danilo dos Santos de Oliveira on 9.
Next up is a trip to Santos on Thursday 8 October, matchday 29. The league resumes on Friday 2 October after the break, when the fixture list turns to São Paulo and Santos.
So: is three points a lead or a warning? Ask Palmeiras.