Ceara vs Fortaleza
Competition: Brazil Serie A
Date: 4 August 2019
Kick-off: 00:00 CET
Ceará may have struggled offensively since the start of the season, but defensively they have been very good, conceding 11 goals in 12 matches. They may be sitting 13th in the table, but only five teams have conceded less than them. Last weekend they lost 1-0 at Internacional, missing a good chance to earn something in Porto Alegre, given that Inter were in the middle of big Copa Libertadores games. Good news for Enderson Moreira is that defensive midfielder William Oliveira returned to training earlier than expected. He hit his nose, he was considered ruled out for a couple of weeks, but on Thursday he was on the pitch, training, wearing a protective mask. The day before this Fortaleza derby it was unclear if the 27-year-old would be given a place in the starting lineup.
Fortaleza are level on points with city rivals Ceará, both on 14, but 14th in the table, one spot lower, because Ceará have a better goal difference. Last weekend they lost 1-3 at home to Corinthians, despite taking the lead late in the first half, and staying 1-0 up until the 67th minute. In less than 15, they conceded three(!) times. Rogério Ceni has faced Ceará four times as Fortaleza’s coach, and is still undefeated; two wins, two draws for him the last year and a half that he’s spent at Fortaleza. On Thursday he told reporters that they are still searching for two players in the “market”, and that their priority is to sign a centre-back, most probably a foreigner with experience. He said the guys they have contacted thus far, asked money that Fortaleza cannot give.
Previous five matches:
Internacional vs Ceara 1-0
Ceara vs Palmeiras 2-0
Fluminense vs Ceara 1-1
Vasco da Gama vs Ceara 1-0
Ceara vs Bahia 0-0
Fortaleza vs Corinthians 1-3
Atletico Mineiro vs Fortaleza 2-2
Fortaleza vs Avai 2-0
Fortaleza vs Cruzeiro 2-1
Gremio vs Fortaleza 1-0
Ceará’s next game is versus Chapecoense, again at home, next weekend. Fortaleza will be visiting CSA (both Serie A matches).
Ceara vs Fortaleza: Head to head Stats
Just one win for Ceará, two for Fortaleza, and two draws, in the last five derbies between these two with Ceará as hosts.
Ceara vs Fortaleza: Prediction
Local derby, not the biggest one in Brazil, but still a… special match, which finds the two teams level on points in the table. Ceará are considered favorites to win, but I like Fortaleza’s chances to earn at least a draw.
Ceara vs Fortaleza: Betting Tips
Fortaleza’s win in “draw no bet” is at 2.25. Their double chance is at 1.65.