Preview: Fortaleza vs. Juventude - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts are currently propping up the league table, and they are joined in the relegation zone by Juventude, who occupy 18th position.

Match preview

After finishing in fourth place last season, Fortaleza entered the 2022 campaign in a confident mood, but that positive mindset has dissipated after only six league games.

Fortaleza have lost five of their six Brasileiro matches, while their sole point came as a result of a 1-1 home draw against Sao Paulo.

Although their league campaign has got off to a poor start, the Leao do Pici have fared well in their first-ever Copa Libertadores appearance.

Juan Pablo Vojvoda's side secured their passage to the knockout rounds of South America's premier club competition with an entertaining 4-3 win over Colo Colo in midweek, helping them clinch second spot in the group.

League action will now take priority for Saturday's hosts and with the gap to safety already seven points, Fortaleza will be desperate to claim their first Brasileiro win of the season at the weekend.

Like their hosts, Juventude also find themselves in the relegation zone, but they are comforted by being five points better off than their opponents.

Saturday's visitors avoided the drop by only three points last season, and the early signs from the current campaign point to another tricky season in the top flight.

Juventude collected their first victory of the season in their most recent away outing, but the 2-1 win over Avai was followed by a poor performance last weekend as they fell to a 3-0 defeat to Palmeiras.

As a result of the heavy loss to the reigning Copa Libertadores champions, Juventude's opening seven league games have yielded one win, three draws and three defeats.

Despite an underwhelming start to the campaign, the visitors could equal last season's tally for away league wins with victory on Saturday.

Fortaleza Brasileiro form:

Fortaleza form (all competitions):

Juventude Brasileiro form:

Juventude form (all competitions):

Team News

Brayan Ceballos was suspended for last weekend's league contest, but after starting in midweek, the 21-year-old is expected to line up alongside Tinga and Titi in a back three.

There could be a place in the starting XI for Jose Welison who came off the bench to play the duration of the second half against Colo Colo on Wednesday.

After bagging a brace in the midweek Copa Libertadores contest, Moises will continue to partner Silvio Romero in a front two.

As for the visitors, they are unable to call upon the services of Edinho, who is currently sidelined due to an ankle injury.

Jadson will also miss out for Juventude, with the midfielder set to serve a one-match suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards.

Meanwhile, Oscar Ruiz is set to continue in the frontline after scoring three league goals in his five Brasileiro appearances this season.

Fortaleza possible starting lineup:

Boeck; Tinga, Titi, Ceballos; Pikachu, Felipe, Lima, Welison, Crispim; Moises, Romero

Juventude possible starting lineup:

Reis; Soares, Mendes, Forster, Matheus; Yuri, Irmer, Darlan; Guilherme, Ruiz, Pitta

We say: Fortaleza 2-1 Juventude

Although Fortaleza are yet to win in the league this season, they head into the weekend in high spirits after progressing to the Copa Libertadores knockout rounds.

Juventude, meanwhile, are looking to clinch consecutive away victories, but after losing three of the last four competitive meetings with Fortaleza, we think that the visitors will leave Castelao empty-handed.

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