Two Campeonato Brasileiro strugglers meet at Estadio Couto Pereira on Sunday, as 16th-placed Coritiba and rock-bottom Fortaleza battle it out for three valuable points.
While the visitors arrive in Parana having improved their chances of Copa Libertadores progress in midweek, their hosts have lost their last four matches to sink down the Serie A standings.
Match preview
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Demonstrating a great deal of character to bounce back from last weekend's Brasileiro implosion, Fortaleza ground out a 1-1 draw with Argentina's Estudiantes in the first leg of the teams' Copa Libertadores last-16 tie on Thursday.
The Tricolor remained steadfast at their Castelao headquarters, and thanks to Silvio Romero's second-half goal, they have every chance of progressing to the quarter-finals in the club's very first shot at South America's elite competition.
Juan Pablo Vojvoda's side qualified by virtue of last year's unexpected fourth-place finish in Serie A, but following up such success in the league has proved to be beyond them so far in 2022.
While their continental form has been superb, Fortaleza have been below par back in Brazil, as they currently sit at the foot of the table with just 10 points from 14 games.
That tally could, and perhaps should, have been at least one better, but the club from Ceara state blew a two-goal lead against reigning champions Atletico Mineiro last Saturday - conceding three times after the 75th minute to suffer a painful 3-2 defeat.
Two wins before that mishap, though - including against local rivals Ceara in the Copa do Brasil - suggest that Fortaleza can steer a course towards safety in the coming months. However, five losses from six on the road in Serie A highlights their fragility away from home.
Much like their latest opponents, Coritiba are particularly brittle in fixtures outside their own headquarters, and have failed to post a single away win so far.
By contrast, four victories from seven at home sets them up for Sunday's encounter, as they seek to halt an alarming dip in results.
Coxa's final league fixture of June ended in a 3-0 reverse to title contenders Internacional, following defeats at the hands of Palmeiras, Bragantino and Athletico Paranaense.
While losing to three of the current top four is hardly disastrous, coach Gustavo Morinigo is coming under increased pressure, as his side remain outside the relegation zone only by means of goal difference.
Coritiba's winless streak now stands at six straight games, but ahead of Fortaleza's visit, they boast one of the league's best defensive records on home soil - a small slice of encouragement amid straitened times.
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Team News
Coritiba coach Gustavo Morinigo is set to be without winger Igor Paixao - the club's top scorer in 2022, with 11 goals - for Sunday's game. The 22-year-old is suspended, as is left-back Guilherme Biro.
Diego Porfirio returns from a ban, though, and could replace the latter in defence, with veteran full-back Egidio another option for the home side.
Both Warley and Adrian Martinez are available again, and both could be involved at some stage, but key midfielder Andrey is out for the rest of the year due to ruptured knee ligaments.
Meanwhile, Fortaleza welcomed back Ze Welison to their midfield in midweek, and the loanee from Atletico Mineiro is set to start again this weekend, but both Robson and Tinga are out injured.
The exciting capture of attacking midfielder Thiago Galhardo on loan from Internacional was confirmed by the visitors' president on Wednesday, but the former Celta Vigo man can only make his debut once the transfer window opens later this month.
Coritiba possible starting lineup:
William; Alexandre, Henrique, Castan, Egidio; Farias, Galarza; Manga, Anderson, Neilton; Gamalho
Fortaleza possible starting lineup:
Boeck; Landazuri, Titi, Benevenuto; Pikachu, Welison, Ronald, Capixaba; Lima, Romero, Moises
We say: Coritiba 2-2 Fortaleza
Despite a decent record at Couto Pereira over the first third of the season, Coritiba have conceded 12 times in their last six league matches, and Fortaleza can capitalise on such defensive deficiencies. They have scored twice in three of their last five outings, and can do so again to secure a point on Sunday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Jonathan O'Shea
