Fortaleza are back in action this weekend in the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A when they host Athletico Paranaense at Arena Casteleao on Sunday.
Leao do Pici missed an opportunity to close the gap between themselves and top-flight salvation, drawing Goias 1-1 on Thursday, while El Paranaense are unbeaten in their last six matches in all competitions, currently in third, three points behind the league leaders Palmeiras.
Match preview
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Over the past few weeks, Fortaleza have inched their way to within striking distance of the teams in front of them in the top-flight, five points behind Avai and a spot in the Brasileiro Serie A next year.
Juan Pablo Vojvoda's men have earned points in three of their previous four league fixtures, picking up their first victory of the domestic campaign last Sunday in a 2-1 upset over Flamengo.
There is slight progress being made with the team from Ceara, though they have missed several opportunities to climb above relegation, squandering eight points this year from winning positions.
After capturing their first match of the Brasileiro season, the next goal would be to earn three points at home for the first time in this domestic campaign, having failed to score more than a single goal at Castelao in league play.
Vojvoda continues to put together formations which suggest that he is eager to remain aggressive while trying to provide relentless pressure, although that approach has not been nearly as effective as a year ago, mainly because of some disappointing link-up play.
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The reigning Copa Sudamericana champions have settled into quite a groove, with points in their last four domestic encounters as they find themselves in the hunt to capture their first Serie A title since 2001.
Luiz Felipe Scolari is renowned for his motivational techniques and meticulous match preparations, and the man who led Brazil to their last World Cup triumph in 2002 has pushed many of the right buttons since coming to Furacao.
Traditionally, Brazilian football clubs from the tiny Southern region of Curitiba have a hard time competing against the big city teams in Sao Paulo and Rio. However, Athletico have managed to stay near the top of the table after 10 games.
Lately, they have thrived on playing a reactionary style of football, conceding first in their previous two league fixtures but still earning four points.
Paranaense are happy to hang back and stay behind the ball while remaining patient and waiting for the right moment to counter, an approach which helped them capture the Copa Sudamericana last year and is serving them well to this point of the top flight season.
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Team News
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Yago Pikachu notched his team-leading third goal of the domestic campaign for Fortaleza on Thursday, with Felipe earning an assist on that play, but it was not enough to hand them three points as Pedro Raul equalised for Goias in the 86th minute.
Tinga has been out of the lineup with a calf injury, while Matheus Vargas continues to nurse a thigh problem, which might keep him sidelined for another week.
Lucas Lima had a goal and an assist in this exact fixture last year, as Fortaleza won by a 3-0 score, with Robson and Pikachu tallying as well, while Marcelo Boeck collected a clean sheet.
Pablo has a goal in his last two games for Paranaense, as he, David Terans and Vitor Bueno all found the back of the net in their 3-1 win over Juventude earlier this week.
Vitinho is still recovering from a thigh problem, while Marlos and Thiago Heleno are not expected to return until late June due to a calf and shoulder injury respectively.
Bento is tied for third in the league with three clean sheets domestically, while Scolari inserted one new face in the opening 11 versus Juventude as Matheus Fernandes replaced Christian as one of the two holding midfielders alongside Hugo Moura.
Fortaleza possible starting lineup:
Boeck; Landazuri, Benevenuto, Titi; Pikachu, Hercules, Jussa, Crispim; Lima; Romarinho, Torres
Athletico Paranaense possible starting lineup:
Bento; Abner, Felipe, Henrique, Khellven; Cittadini, Moura; Bueno, Terans, Rocha; Pablo
We say: Fortaleza 1-2 Athletico Paranaense
We have seen gradual improvements at Fortaleza, but not enough to suggest they will be able to defeat a side like Athletico Paranaense, who are in fine form with several weapons contributing in midfield and the attacking third.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joel Lefevre
