Burkina Faso
Czech Republic
Indonesia
Lithuania
Montenegro
Nigeria
North Macedonia

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

sportsmole.co.uk, 18 June 2022, 00:51
Looking to improve on their current position, at the foot of the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A table, Fortaleza will play host to America Mineiro on Sunday.

A defeat last time out saw the home side remain three points behind 19th-placed Juventude and seven adrift of safety, while their visitors have dropped to 13th spot after a winless run of their own.

Match preview

Fortaleza's Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A campaign got off to a dismal start, as they amassed just two points from their opening eight outings.

That was despite a positive run in the Copa Libertadores, as they progressed through their group with a second-placed finish, before finally posting their first league win as Hercules sealed all three points in a 2-1 victory away at Flamengo with a 92nd-minute goal.

The Leao do Pici then built on that with consecutive draws against Goias and high-flying Athletico Paranaense but head into the weekend on the back of a defeat to Avai.

After going 2-0 down, Juan Pablo Vojvoda's side drew the game level thanks to goals from Robson and Moises, but they were unable to hold on for a valuable result as Guilherme Bissoli scored to restore the hosts' lead and deny Fortaleza a share of the spoils.

Now three points behind the closest side and already seven adrift of safety, the Leao do Pici will know they cannot afford for this slump to continue past the halfway stage of the season, and, after last term's fourth-placed finish, they must now focus on improving their chances of survival this campaign.

America Mineiro will also arrive hoping to correct their form, having gone three games without a win in the Brazilian top flight.

They enjoyed a relatively commendable start to the campaign, and a 2-1 win over Cuiaba, courtesy of goals from Ale and Felipe Azevedo, took their points tally to 14 from the opening nine outings.

The Coelho have been unable to add another notch to their wins column in the three attempts since, though, firstly suffering consecutive defeats at the hands of Ceara and Sao Paulo.

They most recently hosted Fluminense and did well to come out with a point following a goalless stalemate, as they were reduced to 10 men just 11 minutes into the game with Ale dismissed.

Having quickly dropped to 13th in what is a particularly tight mid-table at this stage, Vagner Mancini's side will aim to bounce back to form with the chance to break back into the top half with a win at the weekend.

Fortaleza Brasileiro form:

America Mineiro Brasileiro form:

America Mineiro form (all competitions):

Team News

Fortaleza should welcome talented winger Yago Pikachu back to action on Sunday, after he served a suspension last time out.

Robson will continue to lead the line, having added to his goals tally in their defeat to Avai, while Moises is a threat on the left flank.

The centre-back pairing of Marcelo Benevenuto and Titi is unlikely to be altered on Sunday, with Juninho Capixaba and Anthony Landazuri again set to complete the back four.

America Mineiro are without midfielder Ale, who was sent off in the early stages of their game against Fluminense.

In his absence, Juninho and Lucas Kal will play pivotal roles in the engine room, while Gustavinho could also be deployed from the outset.

Winger Felipe Azevedo will be a man for the hosts to keep an eye on, while Pedrinho will also be vying to feature from the start on the flank.

Fortaleza possible starting lineup:

Boeck; Landazuri, Titi, Benevenuto, Capixaba; Welison, Jussa; Pikachu, Lima, Moises; Robson

America Mineiro possible starting lineup:

Jailson; Caceres, Conti, Eder, Marlon; Pedrinho, Gustavinho, Kal, Juninho, Azevedo; Aloisio

We say: Fortaleza 1-1 America Mineiro

Fortaleza have certainly struggled this season, but their visitors are not near the peak of their powers either.

Previews by email
Show more

Top News

17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool are likely to at least resolve the contract situations of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk in the coming months, Reds expert David Lynch has claimed. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have reportedly already decided whether they intend to sign Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho on a permanent basis. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Bruno Fernandes has insisted that Roy Keane's criticism is a source of motivation for the Manchester United captain. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are reportedly likely to increase the asking price of Marcus Rashford ahead of the summer transfer window. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Jadon Sancho could still end up back at Manchester United next season as the winger faces criticism over his Chelsea spell. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk India and Maldives will play out an international friendly at the Polo Ground in Shillong on Wednesday ahead of the start of their Asian Cup qualifying campaigns next week. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Do not be fooled by Lionel Messi's small frame and footballing charm. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Jorgen Strand Larsen has withdrawn from international duty with Norway. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool's Champions League and EFL Cup final heartache should not precede a Premier League title collapse, former Reds striker Emile Heskey has exclusively told Sports Mole. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona defender Inigo Martinez and midfielder Marc Casado picked up injuries in Sunday's 4-2 victory over Atletico Madrid. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Michail Antonio has opened up on how he has reacted to his near-death car crash. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal and Chelsea have reportedly moved ahead of Liverpool in the race to sign Inter Milan striker Marcus Thuram. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Tottenham have a list of potential replacements for if they decide to part company with Ange Postecoglou, talkSPORT understands. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid have reportedly identified Tottenham Hotspur defender Cristian Romero as one of three centre-back targets. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Newcastle fans deserve their moment of glory with the Carabao Cup, but there may be excessive sentimental celebration attached to it. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Vietnam and Cambodia are set to face off at the Go Dau Stadium on Wednesday afternoon in an international friendly match. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Chris Wilder was caught on camera mocking Sheffield Wednesday during his post-match derby celebrations. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Thomas Tuchel will take charge of his first game as England manager this Friday as the Three Lions take on Albania, live on talkSPORT. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Former United States soccer star Alexi Lalas has highlighted a potential issue with the US Men's National Team. 17 March 2025 talksport.com England manager Thomas Tuchel is set to take charge of his first game on Friday night, but he won't be singing the national anthem. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Gennaro Gattuso was involved in a furious spat with a pundit live on Croatian TV after Hajduk Split's latest defeat. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Tottenham have one last opportunity to lift their first trophy in 16 years this season as a host of ex-stars continue to claim silverware. 17 March 2025 talksport.com It's all to play for in the hunt for Champions League football. 17 March 2025 talksport.com A fan's three-word verbal jab sparked a heated confrontation with Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk West Ham United and AC Milan are reportedly among the clubs who are circling for one of Burnley's star defenders. 17 March 2025 talksport.com It's advantage Lionel Messi in his personal battle with Brad Guzan. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid have reportedly identified a key Arsenal defender as a potential summer transfer target. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City have reportedly learned how much they would have to pay to get a deal for Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga over the line. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk England boss Thomas Tuchel has added Nottingham Forest playmaker Morgan Gibbs-White to his squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Emma Saunders was left touched after an emotional tribute from fans of Lens.