Brasileiro strugglers Cuiaba EC are set to host Fortaleza at the Arena Pantanal on Sunday, when they will hope to avoid a second consecutive defeat.
After eight games the home side are second bottom of the table in 19th place and have collected just four points, while the visitors have 10 points after seven games and are in 11th place.
Match preview
© Reuters
Cuiaba are averaging just 0.5 points per game, and extrapolated over the remainder of the season, this would represent their lowest tally since their return to the top flight in 2021.
The hosts began the league season with five straight defeats and went six consecutive matches without scoring.
Cuiaba have conceded 15 goals and this is the second-worst figure in the division, with only 14th-placed Vasco da Gama conceding more.
To add to this, the home side have only scored six goals this season, and this makes them the division's joint-fourth-worst offensive side.
However, it should be noted that although Dourado lost last time out against relegation rivals Cruzeiro on Thursday, they did accumulate all four of their points in the prior two matches.
© Reuters
Additionally, though they have just four points they are only two from 16th-placed Fluminense, who occupy the spot above the relegation zone.
Manager Petit was appointed on May 1 after Mauricio Barbieri had overseen a poor start to the campaign, and despite losing his first Brasileiro game against Internacional, he has since led the club to one win, one draw and one defeat, including a 5-2 win against Criciuma on June 9.
Opponents Fortaleza are currently averaging 1.43 points per game, almost identical to the figure they achieved in the 2023 campaign.
Tricolor de Aco's position of 11th would see them qualify for the Copa Sudamericana as they occupy the league's second-last qualification spot.
However, 13th-placed Gremio are just four points behind them having played only six games.
© Reuters
More positively, Fortaleza are only four points from sixth-placed Palmeiras, who hold the final Copa Libertadores playoff position, while having played one match fewer.
With 31 league fixtures still to play, this gap could feasibly be narrowed, though they will likely have to improve their goalscoring record considering their tally of six goals is the same as relegation-threatened Cuiaba.
Manager Juan Pablo Vojvoda has been in charge since May 2021 and has led his side to fourth, eighth and 10th-placed finishes so far.
This term, he began the league campaign with a victory against Sao Paulo but this was followed by four straight draws before a return to winning ways against Athletico Paranaense.
Vojvoda's side failed to build on that victory as they lost last time out on Friday against Bahia, but the Argentinian coach will at least be happy that his team have been tough to beat given Fortaleza had been unbeaten in the prior 11 league games.
- W
- W
- W
- W
- W
- L
© Reuters
The hosts will be without midfielders Lucas Fernandes and Filipe Augusto, as well forward Derik Lacerda, though all are expected back in late June.
Cuiaba also have doubts about the fitness of centre-back Gabriel Knesowitsch and forward Deyverson, who have suffered with illness and physical discomfort respectively.
As for the away side, they come into the game without Benjamin Kuscevic and Kervin Andrade due to their international commitments.
Futhermore, the trio of Calebe, Moises Vieira and Marinho are out until late June with thigh injuries.
Cuiaba possible starting lineup:
Walter; Railan, Marllon, Empereur, Ramon; Mineiro, Denilson; Cafu, Max, Clayson; Pitta
Fortaleza possible starting lineup:
Ricardo; Tinga, Britez, Titi, Jonatan; Martinez, Augusto, Welison; Lopes, Kayzer, Hercules
We say: Cuiaba 1-2 Fortaleza
Considering that Fortaleza have had a much better start to the season and have lost just once in the Brasileiro this season, they could prove too strong for relegation threatened Cuiaba.
However, neither side have been particularly prolific in front of goal this campaign having only scored six goals each, so the game on Sunday could be a closely fought contest.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
