Preview: America Mineiro vs. Ceara - prediction, team news, lineups

The visitors, meanwhile, occupy 15th place, and they have the chance to extend their current unbeaten run to eight games in all competitions.

Match preview

America Mineiro have enjoyed a promising start to their Brasileiro campaign, winning four and drawing two of their opening nine league matches.

Although they performed poorly in the Copa Libertadores, finishing bottom of their group, Wednesday's hosts have lost just one of their last five Brasileiro games.

Their latest league match took place at the weekend, and it proved to be a successful outing for Vagner Mancini's side, who edged out Cuiaba.

Ale put America Mineiro in front just over halfway through the first period before parity was restored in the 42nd minute after Andre's driven effort from outside the box found a home in the bottom corner of Jailson's net.

Despite being pegged back before the break, Coelho needed only eight second half minutes to restore their lead, with Felipe Azevedo netting what proved to be the winning goal, extending America Mineiro's unbeaten home Brasileiro run to 14 games.

Ceara, on the other hand, may sit much further down the league table than their opponents, but they can close the gap to their hosts to one point with a win on Wednesday.

Dorival Junior's side carry a five-game unbeaten league run into the midweek contest, although four of those encounters ended in draws.

The latest of those draws occurred at the weekend, with Ceara held to a 1-1 home draw by Coritiba after John Mendoza's first half strike was cancelled out by Adrian Martinez.

As Ceara now turn their attention to an away meeting with America Mineiro, the visitors will look to draw confidence from their impressive away record this season.

Their five away league games have resulted in two wins, two draws and one defeat, while they also have the chance to claim back-to-back away victories on Wednesday.

America Mineiro Brasileiro form:

America Mineiro form (all competitions):

Ceara Brasileiro form:

Ceara form (all competitions):

Team News

The hosts are unable to call upon Paulinho Boia and Orlando Berrio, who are ruled out due to thigh and knee problems respectively.

Injury issues are also expected to sideline Iago Maidana and Juan Pablo Ramirez, although Everaldo could come into the starting lineup after making his return from injury to feature in the second half against Cuiaba.

Meanwhile, Aloisio will continue to lead the line for the hosts, and the striker will be aiming to add to the two league goals he has scored this season.

As for the visitors, they have a lengthy injury list that includes the likes of Luiz Otavio, Lima and Jael.

Dorival Junior could be tempted to make a change at right-back, with Nino Paraiba set to replace Michel Macedo in the back four.

Mendoza will continue to operate on the left flank after scoring in each of his last three appearances for Ceara.

America Mineiro possible starting lineup:

Jailson; Patric, Conti, Eder, Lopes; Gustavinho, Juninho, Kal, Ale, Azevedo; Aloisio

Ceara possible starting lineup:

Ricardo; Paraiba, Messias, Lacerda, Pacheco; Lindoso, Sobral; Erick, Vina, Mendoza; Cleber

We say: America Mineiro 1-1 Ceara

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