Palmeiras can complete a perfect month in the Brasileiro Serie A with a victory over Fortaleza on Wednesday at Arena Castelao.
Over the weekend, the Ceara club could only manage a 1-1 draw with Atletico Mineiro, while Palestra walked away with a 3-1 triumph over Juventude.
Match preview
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A year after their 10th-place finish in this competition, Fortaleza are in a similar spot domestically, currently 11th after 10 matchdays.
That has them barely holding down a place at the Copa Sudamericana next year, as they currently sit two points above Criciuma.
So far this season, Juan Pablo Vojvoda's men are unbeaten at home in this competition, claiming a victory over Gremio the last time out.
That said, they have left points on the table at Arena Castelao, failing to win three times at home this year in the Brasileiro Serie A when scoring the opening goal.
Those six points dropped could have them in a tie with Botafogo for fourth and a place in the Copa Libertadores group stage next season.
They have points in five successive Serie A home fixtures versus Palmeiras but failed to hold onto a pair of one-goal advantages in this exact fixture last year (2-2 draw).
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Following a difficult start to the domestic campaign, Palestra's sparkling domestic form this month has put them right back in the hunt for a third successive top-flight title.
Verdao only won two of their first six matches in the league this season, but they have since reeled off five consecutive victories in this competition, equalling their longest winning run in Serie A from last season.
Heading into their 12th match of the season, Abel Ferreira's men are just a point behind Flamengo for first, accumulating 23 points thus far, three more than they had at this stage of the 2023 campaign.
Throughout the month of June, they have looked dominant in this competition, outscoring their opponents by a combined margin of 13-3.
Since this month began, Palestra have never been behind for a second, and are unbeaten domestically when scoring the opening goal.
Historically, the Sao Paulo-based club have had difficulty with Fortaleza at Arena Castelao, earning only one triumph against them in the Brazilian top flight (1-0 in 2019).
Team News
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On Sunday Fortaleza were without Marinho, Moises and Matheus Rossetto because of thigh injuries, while Dudu sat out with a knee issue.
Kervin Andrade and Benjamin Kuscevic will not be available as they are both at the Copa America, representing Venezuela and Chile, respectively.
Their leading goalscorer domestically, Juan Martin Lucero, is eligible to return from his yellow card suspension, with Breno Lopes, on loan from Palmeiras netting their only goal over the weekend, his first in the top flight this season.
On the Palmeiras side, Bruno Rodrigues continues to recover from knee surgery, while Romulo and Lazaro also missed their Sunday affair with thigh injuries.
Meanwhile, they have two players away on international duty at the Copa America, with Gustavo Gomez called up to the Paraguay squad and Richard Rios a part of the Colombian team.
Goals from Mayke, Estevao and Jose Manuel Lopez were more than enough to see Verdao earn a comfortable triumph over Juve this past weekend.
Fortaleza possible starting lineup:
Ricardo; Tinga, Britez, Titi, Jonatan; Ze Welison, Augusto; Pikachu, Pochettino, Lopes; Kayzer
Palmeiras possible starting lineup:
Weverton; Rocha, Naves, Murilo, Vanderlan; Ze Rafael, Moreno; Estevao, Veiga, Menino; Lopez
We say: Fortaleza 1-2 Palmeiras
While Palestra do not have a great record at Arena Casleleo, we believe that the momentum they have built up will carry them to a sixth successive triumph on Wednesday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
