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
© Reuters
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.
- D
- L
- W
- D
- D
- L
- D
- D
- W
- L
- L
- D
- L
- D
- W
- L
- L
- D
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.
Ultimately we envisage a tight encounter with neither having a real edge over the other and predict a share of the spoils as a result.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Sam Varley
