Fortaleza have surprised many onlookers this season in Serie A.
The Lion King of Brazil are third in the Serie A standings with 27 points from 13 matches. They are just four points off of first-place Palmeiras.
Tarde de treino na Cidade Vozão. 💪🏁📸 Felipe Santos / Ceará SC#CearáSC #Vozão #Naturágua pic.twitter.com/IsxcMa1rdd— Ceará Sporting Club (@CearaSC) July 28, 2021
Tarde de treino na Cidade Vozão. 💪🏁📸 Felipe Santos / Ceará SC#CearáSC #Vozão #Naturágua pic.twitter.com/IsxcMa1rdd
Ceara have started the season well, too. The Grandpa are seventh in the league with 19 points from 13 matches. A win could take Ceara closer to the league’s top four. However, a win against an in-form Fortaleza is easier said than done.
Fortaleza are on a four-match winning streak in Serie A. They are one of the in-form teams of the league having taken 15 points from the last 18 available to them. The team’s defence has been brilliant conceding just four times while the attack scored 11 goals.
Ceara were nearly as good over the course of their last six matches in Serie A. Guto Ferreira’s team took 10 points from the last 18 on offer. Scoring was an issue for the team as just five goals in six games were scored. The defence played brilliantly with just two goals conceded, however.
The Grandpa will host the game at the Castelao Ground. There, Ceara have obtained 13 points 18 points. Just 10 goals have been scored by the team this term at home in six games.
Fortaleza may be playing well, but their road form is not great. They have taken eight points from 18 overall on the road. The Lion of Brazil won last time out away from home against Sao Paulo, 1-0. It ended a four-match winless streak for the team.
Ceara and Fortaleza have met four times already in 2021 Cearanese state tournament. Fortaleza claimed two wins and two draws during that four-match span. The Lion of Brazil lifted the state tournament trophy in the final against Ceara.
Guto has two injury issues going into matchday 14. Defender Gabriel Dias is a doubt with a knee injury. Meanwhile, forward Vitor Jacare is ruled out until the end of the season with an ACL injury.
Juan Pablo Vojvoda has two players on the Fortaleza injury list. Goalkeeper Felipe Alves is likely to miss out with a thigh injury. Forward Wellington is suffering from a calf issue and is a doubt.
Ceara and Fortaleza have played four times this season with two of those games ending in draws. These teams are both playing well and a stalemate is likely once more on Sunday. It should be a low-scoring match with under 2.5 goals going into the back of the net.