Preview:Fortaleza vs Bragantino - prediction, team news, lineups

Two teams looking to halt their winless streak in the Brasileiro Serie A will square off this weekend as Fortaleza welcome Bragantino to Castelao.

The visitors are without victory in their last three outings, while the hosts are on a longer barren run, failing to win any of their previous six league games and 10 across all competitions.

Match preview

If holding Bahia to a 1-1 draw at Castelao last time out marks some form of progress, then Fortaleza will still feel aggrieved that they did not come away with all three points after seeing their first-half lead slip late on.

Renato Paiva’s men had taken control through Marinho’s strike in the 29th minute and looked set to hold out, but a lapse in concentration allowed Bahia to find the equaliser 10 minutes from time, leaving the veteran winger with nothing more than a shared point for his efforts.

Marinho limped off in the second half with a calf issue and now faces a race against time to be fit, further compounding an already lengthy injury list at the club.

The Tricolor go into the meeting with Bragantino sitting in the relegation zone, only ahead of bottom-placed Sport Recife, after collecting 11 points from 14 matches, but a win here could lift them out of danger if other results go their way.

While the draw against Bahia extended Fortaleza’s winless run at home to six in all competitions, including four in the Serie A, there remains a glimmer of hope, with both of their league victories this season coming at Castelao.

Fourteen goals from 14 games may not read poorly for a team in the bottom four — especially with seven of those coming in the two wins at home — but the Tricolor’s defensive record has been a concern, with 20 conceded so far.

Bragantino, on the other hand, are making an early charge for their highest-ever finish in the Brazilian top flight, having never placed above sixth since their return to the elite level and ending last season down in 16th.

Fernando Seabra’s side currently sit fourth with 27 points from 16 matches, two points above Botafogo and Bahia in fifth and sixth respectively, though both chasing teams have two games in hand.

Despite a largely memorable campaign so far, Bragantino find themselves on a wobble, with last weekend’s 2-1 defeat against Flamengo stretching their winless run to three for the first time this campaign.

Looking to avoid further slippage, Seabra’s men must also recover from a 1-0 reverse at Vitoria in their most recent away outing, although winning four of their seven league games on the road this season should provide ample belief heading into this weekend’s visit to Castelao.

Fortaleza Brasileiro form:

Fortaleza form (all competitions):

Bragantino Brasileiro form:

Team News

Marinho remains a doubt and will undergo assessment ahead of kickoff, leaving Paiva with another selection headache as fitness concerns pile up.

The bulk of Fortaleza’s injury issues lie in the backline, with goalkeepers Brenno (hand) and Joao Ricardo (broken finger) unavailable, while defenders Bruno Pacheco (knee), David Luiz (hamstring), Emanuel Britez (groin) and Gustavo Mancha (arm) are also ruled out.

In midfield, Bruninho is sidelined with a thigh complaint, and to add to the manager’s woes, forwards Juan Martin Lucero and Leandro Martinez are suspended due to card accumulation.

Bragantino are also dealing with their share of absentees, with Fabricio (thigh), Fernando (knee), Juninho Capixaba and Matheus Fernandes (calf) all expected to return early next month.

Lucao is set to replace first-choice goalkeeper Cleiton Schwengber, who misses out due to suspension after picking up too many bookings.

There is also concern over winger Henry Mosquera, who was forced off in the defeat to Flamengo and will face a late fitness test to determine his involvement.

Fortaleza possible starting lineup:

Brenno; Tinga, Britez, Titi, Escobar; Welison, Pochettino, Hercules; Pikachu, Deyverson, Prior

Bragantino possible starting lineup:

Lucao; Sant'Anna, Henrique, rodriguez, Lopes; Ramires, Fabinho; Barbosa, Jhon, Vincinho; Pitta

We say: Fortaleza 0-1 Bragantino

Bragantino may not be at their best of late, but they have proven to be reliable on the road, so facing a struggling Fortaleza side that has lost half of their eight home league games this season presents the visitors with a perfect opportunity to bounce back.

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