On Thursday night, Fortaleza and Ceara clash in the Brazilian Serie A at the Estadio Governador Placido Aderaldo Castelo.
Fortaleza are enjoying a strong season and are in one of the Copa Libertadores qualifier spots.
However, the home team are just three points behind fourth-place RB Bragantino, who currently sit in the last of the automatic qualification berths for next season’s Copa Libertadores.
Juan Vojvoda’s team have hit a poor run of form of late in the Brazilian top-flight, as they have failed to win in four league matches, having suffered three defeats in the process. Last time out they suffered a 3-0 defeat at top-six rivals RB Bragantino.
The result means that Fortaleza have scored just once in their last three league outings.
Fortaleza’s recent home form has improved, as they are unbeaten in three Serie A games on home soil. A 1-1 draw with Sao Paulo in their last home match in the league ended a promising two-game winning run on home soil though.
Ceara still have an outside chance of making those Copa Libertadores qualifying spots.
The visitors are currently seven points adrift of the home team in the race for the top-six spots after a solid recent run of form.
A 2-1 win over Sport Recife last time out means that Tiago Nunes’ team has won three of their last four matches in the Brazilian top-flight.
The recent good run was needed, as the three recent wins were the visitors only victories in 11 matches in the Brazilian top-flight.
Ceara have mounted a bid for the Copa Sudamericana places despite a poor recent away record, as they have failed to win in their previous 15 away matches in Serie A.
Forebet predicts that this encounter will finish in a low-scoring draw, which would not help either team achieve their aims for this season.