Sports Mole previews Saturday's Brasileiro clash between Fortaleza and Atletico Goianiense, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Fortaleza are looking to secure a top-four finish in the Brasileiro this season, currently occupying third spot, and their next challenge comes against Atletico Goianiense on Saturday at the Estadio Governador Placido Aderaldo Castelo.
The visitors are winless in their last five games, but have also only lost once in their last nine domestic meetings, while Fortaleza are aiming for back-to-back victories for the first time in the league since the end of July.
Match preview
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Fortaleza's last Brasileiro match created 13 shots on target between the two teams, but it was a single headed effort from centre-back Marcelo Conceicao which sealed a 1-0 win for Juan Pablo Vojvoda's side.
That result was a much-needed three points for Fortaleza, as prior to their game against Sport Recife, they had not won a league fixture in six attempts, including a run of three straight defeats before last weekend.
Defensively, Vojvoda's side have been better at home than they have been on their travels, conceding more than double the amount of goals away than they have on home turf, so they will be pleased to be back in familiar surroundings on Saturday.
Fortaleza must be wary of Flamengo and Red Bull Bragantino sitting just behind them in the Brasileiro, especially as Flamengo are only one point behind Fortaleza with two games in hand on the third-placed outfit.
There is still a significant amount of football to be played between now and the end of the season, but Fortaleza will not want to end up chasing teams down in the latter stages of the campaign, meaning every point becomes more valuable from here on in.
Atletico GO could be aiming for Copa Libertadores qualification places, but their main priority at this moment is to secure a more comfortable position in the Copa Sudamericana positions, currently just inside the top 12 on goal difference.
Eduardo Barroca will feel that his side have drawn too many matches in recent times, as - if they had turned some of those points into three points - then their position in the table would be more favourable.
Goianiense tend to be involved in low-scoring draws, which was demonstrated in their last outing when they played out a 0-0 draw at home to Cuiaba.
They have only scored 17 goals in their 21 league matches this season, making them the lowest scorers out of the teams not in the relegation places, but their record of keeping nine clean sheets so far is a major factor to their league position.
Atletico GO's away form is slightly better than their record at home, meaning that they will be confident of picking up three points on Saturday, which would be viewed as a brilliant result for Barroca's side considering Fortaleza's Brasileiro position.
Fortaleza Brasileiro form:
- D
- D
- L
- L
- L
- W
Fortaleza form (all competitions):
- D
- L
- L
- W
- L
- W
Atletico Goianiense Brasileiro form:
- W
- D
- D
- D
- L
- D
Team News
Fortaleza left-midfielder Lucas Crispim will be unavailable for selection on Saturday after picking up his third yellow card in the Brasileiro this season, and he will have to serve his one-match suspension this weekend.
VojVoda will set his team up with a back three, which is likely to include Titi, Conceicao and Tinga, with Yago Pikachu and Bruno Melo operating as wing-backs for the home side.
Top goalscorer for Fortaleza this season, Robson, has not managed to find the back of the net since the beginning of August, but he will retain his place in the starting lineup and get another opportunity to end his goal drought.
Atletico GO defensive midfielder Marlon Freitas has been absent from the matchday squad since August 2, and he will continue to be sidelined as he recovers from a foot injury.
Barroca opted for a more attacking lineup last time out by including Joao Paulo in the midfield to be the creative spark Atletico GO need, and despite not managing to get on the scoresheet, the midfield three received high ratings last time out.
Fortaleza possible starting lineup:
Alves; Titi, Conceicao, Tinga; Melo, Felipe, Ederson, Pikachu; Lima; Romarinho, Robson
Atletico Goianiense possible starting lineup:
Miguel; Igor, Eder, Wanderson, Dudu; Baralhas, Moraes, Paulo; Pereira, Roberto, Luis
We say: Fortaleza 1-0 Atletico Goianiense
Atletico GO are not usually involved in high-scoring encounters, and Saturday's clash is likely to be no different, but Fortaleza are expected to come out on top having more recent wins under their belt.
Fortaleza are strong at home and they should be confident of securing an important three points, with the help of keeping a clean sheet against a side which has only scored three times in their last five matches.
Top tip
Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data
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