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

The visitors, meanwhile, have the chance to clinch consecutive victories after beating Botafogo in their most recent outing.

Match preview

With their 18 league game yielding just 14 points, Fortaleza head into the weekend in the relegation zone, with five points separating them from safety.

They have only managed to record three league victories this season, with only one of those occurring in their last five Brasileiro games.

After beating Atletico Goianiense last weekend, Fortaleza entered the midweek encounter against Red Bull Bragantino with a renewed sense of belief.

Juan Pablo Vojvoda's side looked set to take a point from the contest after Emanuel Britez cancelled out Lucas Evangelista's opener but a Gabriel Novaes winner in the fifth minute of stoppage time condemned Fortaleza to their 10th defeat of the Brasileiro season.

With their last three competitive games taking place away from home, Fortaleza will be looking forward to returning to Castelao where they have avoided defeat in their last six matches in all competitions.

While Saturday's hosts currently reside in the relegation zone, Santos enter the weekend in ninth place after accumulating 25 points from their 18 league games.

However, the visitors may feel they have left points on their table, with 10 of their 18 league matches ending all square.

As a result of drawing more games than any other team in the Brazilian top flight, Santos have proven to be a tough team to beat, losing just three league matches this term.

Two of those defeats have taken place in their previous four Brasileiro contests, while their most recent outing resulted in a 2-0 victory over Botafogo thanks to goals from Leo Baptistao and Marcos Leonardo.

Following the midweek victory, Santos will now turn their attention to Sunday's encounter, where they will be aiming to clinch their second away league win of the season.

Fortaleza Brasileiro form:

Fortaleza form (all competitions):

Santos Brasileiro form:

Santos form (all competitions):

Team News

Fortaleza will be without the services of Jose Welison and Tinga, who are currently sidelined due to injury issues.

Matheus Vargas is also a doubt after the 26-year-old was forced off in the first half against Bragantino, and if he is not fit enough to feature then Thiago Galhardo could be presented with a starting place.

Silvio Romero is expected to lead the line for the hosts after starting the last two matches, with the striker still looking to score his first league goal of the season.

As for the visitors, Maicon and Lucas Pires are expected to miss out due to calf and knee injuries respectively, while Sandry and Kevin Malthus are also sidelined.

Camacho could come into the starting lineup on Sunday after featuring as a late substitute against Botafogo.

After scoring his seventh league goal of the season in midweek, Leonardo will be looking to add to his tally when he starts up front against Fortaleza.

Fortaleza possible starting lineup:

Boeck; Britez, Titi, Ceballos; Crispim, Jussa, Ronald, Capixaba; Galhardo, Moises, Romero

Santos possible starting lineup:

Paulo; Madson, Felipe, Bauermann, Jonatan; Fernandez, Camacho; Baptistao, Oliveira, Gabriel; Leonardo

We say: Fortaleza 1-1 Santos

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