Fortaleza will look to extend their unbeaten run in Brasileiro when they face off against Juventude at Estadio Governador Placido Aderaldo Castelo on Sunday evening.
In a tightly compact Brasileiro table, these two sides are currently holding down the final two Copa Sudamericana qualification places, though a win for either here could see them move into the top seven.
Match preview
© Reuters
Fortaleza made a solid start to the 2024 league season, as they went the first six gameweeks without defeat earning 10 points, posting a record of four draws and two victories in that period.
That was followed by back-to-back defeats against Bahia and Cuiaba earlier this month, before bouncing back with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over last season's surprise package Gremio on June 20.
Since then, Leao do Pici played out a 1-1 draw with Atletico Mineiro and picked up a very impressive 3-0 win over top-four opponents Palmeiras last week, with Juan Lucero netting a brace before Bruno Pacheco secured the points with 20 minutes left to play.
Notably, the two league defeats Juan Pablo Vojvoda's side have suffered this season have both come on the road, while they are one of only five teams in the top flight that are still unbeaten on their home patch with three wins and three draws in six games.
However, despite their impressive form at Estadio Governador Placido Aderaldo Castelo, Vojvoda's men have found goals hard to come by, currently on 11 for the season, which is the third lowest in the division behind Gremio (nine) and Atletico Goianiense (10).
© Imago
Meanwhile, after earning promotion to the top flight by finishing second in Serie B last term, Juventude will be fairly content with the start they have made, currently on 16 points after the first 11 games, six above the sides below the dotted line.
Verdao secured their fourth win of the season in midweek when they managed a remarkable come-from-behind victory against league leaders Flamengo at Estadio Alfredo Jaconi.
Pedro gave Mengao the lead inside the first 20 minutes of the game, but Lucas Barbosa levelled proceedings in the 26th minute, while Mandaca netted the winner just three minutes before the final whistle.
With that, Roger Machado's side kept their unbeaten record at home intact, but their away form this term has been dismal, as they are yet to win a match on the road and have managed just two points from their five outing to date.
In Juventude's last top-flight season, they played out 1-1 draws against Fortaleza both home and away. They have not beaten this opponent in their last eight encounters dating all the way back to September 2009.
Team News
© Reuters
Fortaleza are set to remain without the services of Kervin Andrade and Benjamin Kuscevic for a while longer, with both players currently away on international duty for their nations at the 2024 Copa America.
In terms of injuries, midfield trio Matheus Rossetto, Moises and Marinho are ruled out until the end of next month with muscular problems, while right-back Dudu is flagged as a doubt due to a knock to his knee.
Juventude will be able to welcome back centre-back Ze Marcos and goalkeeper Gabriel for this match after the pair were forced to sit out the last match due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
Long-term absentee Romercio has not played a competitive minute since September last year and is still some way from returning. Kleiton (knee), Edson Carioca (knee) and Marcelinho (hamstring) are on the treatment table and will not feature this weekend.
Fortaleza possible starting lineup:
Ricardo; Tinga, Britez, Cardona, Pacheco; Welison, Augusto, Hercules; Machuca, Lucero, Pikachu
Juventude possible starting lineup:
Gabriel; Lucas, Boza, Marcos, Ruschel; Caique, Jadson, Ewerton, Nene; Farias, Gilberto
We say: Fortaleza 1-0 Juventude
While Juventude will be extremely pleased with the start they have made on their return to the top flight, the vast majority of their good work has been done on their home patch, while they are still looking for their first away win of the campaign.
Fortaleza are unbeaten at home this term and have kept three consecutive clean sheets on their home patch in this month alone. We feel the hosts will edge the result in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Devesh Jaganath
