Chapecoense will welcome Fortaleza to Arena Conda on Saturday and the hosts are in desperate need of a win if they are to stand any chance of staying up.
The home side enter the game bottom of the table, while their opponents head into the fixture in third position with 42 points to their name.
Match preview
After winning promotion to the top flight last season, Chapecoense have struggled in their first campaign back in the Campeonato Brasileiro and they are currently 15 points adrift of safety.
Encouragingly, they have drawn three of their last four games, but Chapecoense have still only won once in the league this season.
Verdao were close to sealing their second league win of the campaign during the week against Athletico Paranaense after Matheus Ribeiro gave Chapecoense the lead, but Christian scored in the 89th minute to deny Pintado's side the victory.
The biggest issue for Chapecoense is that they have struggled defensively, demonstrated by the fact that they have conceded 44 goals in the league this term - no other team has conceded more.
The sole victory for Chapecoense came away to Bragantino, so a win at the weekend against Fortaleza would give the hosts their first home league victory of the season.
Fortaleza have enjoyed a successful season and currently occupy a Copa Libertadores qualification spot, although a title charge seems unlikely given the fact they are 14 points off top spot.
Leao do Pici have collected nine points in their last six games, and they managed to pick up a victory in their most recent fixture.
Last time out, Fortaleza managed to clinch a narrow victory by winning 1-0 against Gremio courtesy of a goal from Yago Pikachu.
Fortaleza have performed well on the road of late having accumulated 10 points in their last six away games, which has included three victories.
Saturday's visitors will be looking to replicate the result they achieved in the reverse fixture back in June, an encounter they managed to win 3-2.
- L
- L
- D
- D
- L
- D
- L
- W
- L
- W
- L
- W
Team News
Chapecoense have a number of injuries to contend with and have up to 12 players currently absent.
There was some positive news for the hosts with Joilson returning from injury to play the full 90 minutes against Athletico Paranaense.
Busanello was brought back into the starting lineup during the week and the left-back is likely to be used from the off once again on Saturday.
Fortaleza saw Marcelo Benevenuto return from suspension to start in their last fixture and the centre-back will keep his place on Saturday.
Robson was brought off by Juan Pablo Vojvoda in midweek and he could be replaced in the starting lineup by Angelo Henriquez.
After scoring the winner against Gremio, Pikachu will keep his place in the starting lineup.
Chapecoense possible starting lineup:
Keiller; Ribeiro, Ignacio, Joilson, Jordan, Busanello; Leite, Moises, Lima; Mike, Araujo
Fortaleza possible starting lineup:
Alves; Tinga, Benevenuto, Titi; Pikachu, Felipe, Lourenco, Crispim; Romarinho, Henriquez, David
We say: Chapecoense 1-3 Fortaleza
Chapecoense will need to go on a winning run if they are to stand any chance of staying up, but such a run seems unlikely given their form and the number of injuries they have to contend with.
We think Fortaleza will brush aside Chapecoense on Saturday as the visitors look to finish the season in a Copa Libertadores qualification spot.
Top tip
body check tags ::
Previews by email
