Preview: Fortaleza vs. Atletico Mineiro – prediction, team news, lineups

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

Fortaleza can temporarily climb back to second in the Brasileiro Serie A with a victory on Wednesday at home to Atletico Mineiro.
Before the international break, Leao do Pici dropped to third, losing 3-1 to Gremio, while Mineiro sit ninth after a 2-1 victory against that same Gremio team last Wednesday.


Match preview



Lucas Sasha celebrate his goal for Fortaleza on August 21, 2024

Some poor results away from home have seen Fortaleza lose control of the league, claiming just one point from their previous four domestic games as the visitors.

That has dropped them down from first to third, though they can move above Palmeiras in the table on Wednesday and within two points of the league leaders Botafogo by claiming maximum points in midweek.

Juan Pablo Vojvoda’s men have yet to lose a home game in the Brazilian top flight this season as they look to extend their 12 successive domestic encounters in Ceara.

Fortaleza would equal their longest losing run in the competition this season with defeat on Wednesday – two – and condemn themselves to their first domestic home defeat since November 2023, when they were beaten 2-0 against Flamengo.

They have kept a clean sheet in four of their last five league games on home soil at Castelao and also have not allowed more than one goal at home in Serie A so far this year.

Clube da Garotada have not been beaten by Atletico over their past two Brasileiro home games, having clung to a 2-1 lead in the same game in 2023.


Rodrigo Battaglia of Atletico Mineiro pictured on August 28, 2024
Having picked up just one win in their opening seven league matches, Mineiro have gradually climbed the table since late September, losing only one of their last four domestic matches — a 2-1 defeat at Palmeiras.

Gabriel Milito’s men do, however, come into this encounter having lost their last two away matches in this competition and having won just one of their last seven Serie A meetings as the away side.

So far this season, Atletico Mineiro have yet to take consecutive league victories – which will be rectified if they defeat Sao Paulo.
This term, they have yet to taste league defeat after a match-opening goal, dropping two points in only three instances when netting first in the Serie A.
Their 40 points after 28 games of domestic competition are three fewer than at this stage of the 2023 league campaign.

Galo are unbeaten in seven of their last eight meetings with Fortaleza, but have not beaten them away from home in Castelao since 2021 (2-0).

Fortaleza Brasileiro form:

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Fortaleza form (all competitions):



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Atletico Mineiro Brasileiro form:





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Atletico Mineiro form (all competitions):





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Team News





Moises celebrates a goal for Fortaleza on September 14, 2024

In the middle of the week, Lucas Sasha is doubted at Fortaleza for a calf injury, while Benjamin Kuscevic and Eros Mancuso are suspended.

Hercules netted three minutes after Gremio had taken the lead, but it was all Leao do Pici could manage offensively in their previous defeat.

Matias Zaracho joined the already quite long list of Mineiro players on the injured list, which already includes names like Bernard (knee), Guilherme Arana (thigh), Cadu (knee), Paulinho (knock) and Rubens (thigh).

Eduardo Vargas, Alan Franco and Junior Alonso had been away for the international break, and one does not know if they will return in time for this game. Lyanco and Deyverson were suspended, so was Hulk.

Hulk and Deyverson were the difference for Atletico the last time these two teams met, netting their 10th and third respectively in Serie A this season.


Fortaleza possible starting lineup:


Ricardo; Tinga, Kuscevic, Cardona, Pacheco; Calebe, Welison; Pochettino, Hercules, Lopes; Lucero


Atletico Mineiro possible starting lineup:


Mendes; Saravia, Battaglia, Fuchs; Scarpa, Vera, Otavio, Rubens; Palacios, Kardec, Gomes