A top-four battle in the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A will take place on Sunday when Fortaleza welcome Bragantino to the Arena Castelao.
The visitors are unbeaten in their last 14 matches across all competitions, while the hosts are yet to lose in the league on home soil so far this season.
Match preview
Fortaleza secured their third consecutive league win when they beat Sao Paulo 1-0 away from home last weekend.
After a goalless first half, the deadlock was finally broken in the 74th minute by Robson, who headed in his fifth goal of the season from a Lucas Crispim free-kick.
That result has seen Juan Pablo Vojvoda's men move above Saturday's opponents Bragantino into third place, four points behind league leaders Palmeiras.
Fotaleza's defensive strengths have been a key factor in their success so far this season; the Lion of the Pici have now kept three successive clean sheets in the league and six in total, more than any other side in the division.
Bragantino will likely be a tough opponent for Vojvoda's men, but after beating them comfortably 3-0 on home soil last season, they can take plenty of confidence into this weekend's encounter.
Bragantino remain the only Brasileiro side yet to lose so far this campaign after they claimed their second successive 2-2 draw, this time at home to Santos.
Ytalo's sixth goal of the season in the 83rd minute put the hosts 2-1 in front, but they were unable to hold onto their lead, as a dramatic 95th-minute equaliser from Marcos Leonardo helped Santos snatch a point in the dying embers of the match.
Mauricio Barbieri's side, who were sat at the top of the Brasileiro table earlier this month, are now in fourth place, level on points with Fortaleza in third.
Since last weekend's league match, Bragantino progressed to the Copa Sudamericana quarter-finals after a 1-1 draw on Thursday and a 3-1 aggregate win.
They now switch their attention back to the Brazilian top-flight, hoping to claim all three points against a Fortaleza outfit who have not lost any of their six home matches this campaign.
- D
- W
- L
- W
- W
- W
- W
- D
- W
- D
- D
- D
- W
- D
- D
- W
- D
- D
Team News
Fortaleza boss Vojvoda is unlikely to make too many changes to his first XI and could even name the same team that beat Sao Paulo last weekend.
Goalkeeper Marcelo Boeck is set to keep his place between the sticks as Felipe Alves continues to recover from an injury.
Experienced forward Wellington Paulista is also ruled out with a calf problem so Robson and David are expected to start again in attack, with either Matheus Vargas or Romarinho to play just behind them in the number 10 role.
Bragantino quartet Vitinho, Luan Candido, Rafael Luiz and Gabriel Novaes are all ruled out with thigh injuries, while Bruno Tubarao is suffering with a broken ankle.
Claudinho is also unavailable for selection as he is with the Brazilian national team in Tokyo for the 2020 Olympics.
Defensive midfielder Jadsom is, however, back from serving a one-match suspension and will be in contention to start ahead of either Raul or Lucas Evangelista, who both started the last league game.
Ytalo is set to be handed a start after coming on as a substitute to score against Santos, which could see Alerrandro drop to the bench as a result.
Fortaleza possible starting lineup:
Boeck; Tinga, Benevenuto, Titi; Pikachu, Ronald, Felipe, Crispim; Vargas; Robson, David
Bragantino possible starting lineup:
Cleiton; Aderlan, Natan, Ortiz, Weverson; Raul, Evangelista; Cuello, Praxedes, Helinho; Ytalo
We say: Fortaleza 2-1 Bragantino
Bragantino have struggled to get over the line and win matches in recent weeks, having drawn five of their last seven games across all competitions.
Fortaleza, meanwhile, are looking strong both defensively and going forward, winning their last three games by an aggregate 6-0 scoreline.
A closely-fought contest is set to be played out on Sunday, but we can see the hosts claiming a narrow victory, ending Bragantino's 14-game unbeaten run.
Top tip
body check tags ::
Previews by email
