Fortalezavs.Athletico PR

Fortaleza are in mid-table with seven points after five games heading into this match, while the visitors were sitting atop the table with 13 points when the league was halted earlier this month.

Match preview

The start of the 2023 season has been a bit of a mixed bag for Fortaleza, who are one of only three teams that are still unbeaten in the league this season, though four consecutive draws in their last five Brasileiro games has left them six points behind the league leaders.

Leao do Pici also suffered an early exit from the Copa do Brasil against Vasco da Gama but then bounced back with two solid performances in the last week, beating Sport Recife 4-1 in the Copa do Nordeste and overcoming Sportivo Trinidense 2-1 in the Copa Sudamericana.

Tomas Pochettino and Juan Martin Lucero scored for Fortaleza in midweek, which was enough for Juan Pablo Vojvoda's side to secure top spot in a tricky group that also featured Boca Juniors and Nacional Potosi.

While Fortaleza are still in search of their first league win on home soil this season, they are a difficult side to beat at Estadio Municipal Presidente Getulio Vargas, having played out three 1-1 draws in each of their home matches this season, while only conceding two defeats since August 13 last term.

The last encounter between these sides ended in a 1-1 draw at Ligga Arena last season, a result that marked Fortaleza's fifth match unbeaten against this opponent (W2 D3 L0) dating back to July 2021.

Meanwhile, after ending last season as the first side below Copa Libertadores qualification, Athletico Paranaense have laid a solid foundation to ensure they do not suffer the same fate this term.

They have shot out the blocks with four wins, one draw and one loss in their first six games of the league campaign, leaving them top of the standings, marginally ahead of Bahia, who are also have a very strong start to the season.

Furacao booked their place in the knockout stage of the Copa Sudamericana, finishing second in their group behind Sportivo Ameliano, and while they lost their last two group-stage matches, they had already secured their qualification before those fixtures were played, thanks to four consecutive wins in their first four group-stage games.

One of the biggest improvements noticed since Cuca took the reigns has been the side's defensive solidity, as they ended the Paranaense 1 league with three consecutive clean sheets and have already managed four shutouts in six games in Brasileiro to date.

However, despite the positive start they have made this season, Athletico-PR's away record this term is less impressive, with one win earned in their first three games, while they lost to Gremio and were only able to take a point from newly promoted Juventude at the end of last month.

Fortaleza Brasileiro form:

W

W

D

D

D

D

Fortaleza form (all competitions):

D

L

D

D

L

W

Athletico Paranaense Brasileiro form:

W

L

W

D

W

W

Athletico Paranaense form (all competitions):

D

W

W

W

L

L

Team News

Fortaleza will have to make do without the services of midfield duo Calebe and Lucas Sasha, who are ruled out until the end of June with a thigh and knee injury, respectively.

Benjamin Kuscevic and Titi have formed a formidable defensive duo for the hosts this season and should form the heart of the backline here, having started every league game for Vojvoda's side so far.

For the visitors, left-back Lucas Esquivel will not be ineligible for selection, having been sent off midway through the second half against Palmeiras in the team's last league outing.

Gabriel is the most likely to come into the side in Esquivel's absence, while Agustin Canobbio, who is the Athletico's top scorer with three goals this season, will also be hoping to make the starting 11 this week after coming off the bench last time out.

Fortaleza possible starting lineup:

Ricardo; Tinga, Kuscevic, Titi, Pacheco; Augusto, Hercules, Lopes, Pochettino, Marinho; Kayzer

Athletico Paranaense possible starting lineup:

Bento; Godoy, Rocha, Gamarra, Bueno; Carvalho, Filipino; Nikao, Zapelli, Cuello; Pablo

We say: Fortaleza 1-1 Athletico Paranaense

While Athletico Paranaense have raced to the top of the league standings, there are still a few question marks about whether they will be able to sustain that level of performance, especially given their average away record.

Fortaleza have certainly not set the league alight this term, but they have maintained an unbeaten league record after five games, and we feel they will take a share of the spoils from this one as well.

Previews by email