Palmeiras are aiming to crack the Serie A top four and can move into the automatic Copa Libertadores qualification places with a win over Fortaleza and results going their way elsewhere.
The Big Green are sixth in the standings and level on points with fourth-place Sao Paulo on 25 points. Palmeiras started the Serie A season well, with six wins, seven draws, and two defeats. The team’s inability to turn draws into wins has kept them from fighting for the title.
Fortaleza are ninth in the standings ahead of their trip to Palmeiras. The Steel Tricolour are just two points behind Palmeiras in the standings.
A win for Fortaleza would see them leapfrog Palmeiras in the table.
Although Palmeiras lost just two of their opening 15 matches, they are not in good form ahead of Fortaleza’s arrival.
They failed to win their last five matches in the league, losing twice and drawing three times. Palmeiras failed to score in three of those five matches.
Fortaleza lost two of their last three matches in Serie A. They scored just one goal across those three fixtures.
Fortaleza failed to win five of their last six matches on the road. The Steel Tricolour scored a meagre six times in those six games.
History is on the home team’s side for this weekend’s match. The home team went unbeaten in the last five games between Palmeiras and Fortaleza.
Palmeiras won the last two matches between the clubs at the Allianz Parque.
Manager Abel Ferreira will be without midfielder Eduard Atuesta due to a knee injury. Goals have been in short supply for Palmeiras.
Offseason signings Artur and Endrick have combined for eight goals this season – four apiece.
Ferreira prefers an attacking 4-3-3 formation. He could start Endrick through the middle, with Artur and Dudu on either side.
Fortaleza midfielder Hercules is out with a knee injury. Winger Pedro Rocha will join him on the sidelines with a knee injury.
The duo of Yago Pikachu and Moises have combined for six goals this season. Manager Juan Pablo Vojvoda will use a 3-4-1-2 formation.
Fortaleza scored just 16 times in their opening 15 matches. Palmeiras did better in their opening 15 games, scoring 25 goals, but the Big Green have struggled to score recently.
Saturday’s match should be low on goals, as Palmeiras edge Fortaleza 2-0 at home. Palmeiras’s last two home matches ended with under 2.5 goals.
Fortaleza’s last three road matches finished with under 2.5 goals.