Criciuma and Fortaleza will face off in their postponed gameweek three Brasileiro fixture at Estadio Heriberto Hulse on Wednesday night.
These sides enter this match headed in opposite directions in the league table, with the hosts currently in 15th place while the visitors are fourth.
Match preview
© Reuters
Newly promoted Criciuma found themselves slipping closer to the drop zone last weekend when they suffered a 2-1 loss to Flamengo after an unusual situation late in the day at Maracana.
With Flamengo pushing for a late winner, a second ball was tossed into the field of play from the stands which Gustavo Barreto decided to kick at the match ball to stop Everton a clear goal-scoring opportunity.
While Criciuma players began their protests, the referee awarded a penalty to Flamengo which Gabriel Barbosa slotted away, marking Criciuma's fourth consecutive league match without a win (W0 D1 L0).
Notably, the three losses Tigre conceded during this winless run all came in away matches. At home, though, they have been very difficult to beat of late, currently unbeaten in their last five matches, including two wins and three draws.
However, it will be interesting to see if the side can maintain their impressive home record given that they are still without a recognised manager in the dugout following Claudio Tencati's sacking last week.
© Reuters
In almost complete contrast, Fortaleza head into this week's encounter as one of the most in-form teams in the division, following a fourth consecutive league victory, which came against Atletico Goianiense at the weekend.
Tomas Pochettino and Renato Kayzer scored on either side of an Alix own-goal to secure a 3-1 victory for Leao do Pici, taking them into the top four in the standings, one point ahead of Sao Paulo, who dropped points against Juventude on the same day.
Juan Pablo Vojvoda's side have now taken a total of 22 points from the last 27 on offer in the top flight, and another victory this weekend could see them move up to third if Flamengo lose to Vitoria.
However, Fortaleza's away record this season is not the greatest, having won just one of their last five matches on the road (W1 D1 L3), while failing to score in four of their last six.
Team News
© Reuters
Allano was sent off for Criciuma following their bizarre goal concession last week, and he will sit out this match along with Barreto, Claudinho, Ronald and Tobias Figueiredo, all of whom crossed the yellow card threshold for the season in the same match.
In terms of injury absentees, Jonathan is out for a week with a hamstring strain and Felipe Vizeu has been ruled out until next month with a thigh injury. Former Everton attacker Yannick Bolasie could return to the starting 11 after recovering from a muscle tweak.
For the visitors, Benjamin Kuscevic was shown red last time out and will be forced into a watching brief alongside Hercules and Breno Lopes, who will sit out this match due to an accumulation of yellows.
Vojvoda will also have to make do without the services of Calebe, Emmanuel Martinez, Ze Welison and Marinho, all of whom are ruled out for this match due to injury.
Criciuma possible starting lineup:
Gustavo; Lemos, Fagundes, Angel, Trauco; Meritao, Araujo, Hermes; Mateus; Caike, Bolasie
Fortaleza possible starting lineup:
Ricardo; Tinga, Britez, Titi, Pacheco; Hercules, Rossetto; Pikachu, Pochettino, Lopes; Lucero
We say: Criciuma 1-2 Fortaleza
While Criciuma have maintained an impressive home record this season, they could struggle here against an in-form opponent and without a recognised manager in the dugout.
Indeed, Fortaleza have not been great on the road this season, but they are on a four-match winning streak and we feel they will extend that record with another victory in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Devesh Jaganath
