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Fortaleza will invite reigning champions Palmeiras to Arena Castelão in the Brazilian Serie A on Wednesday. The hosts have endured a slow start to their league campaign and are in 11th place in the league table. The visitors are in second place, trailing league leaders Flamengo by just one point.
The hosts are unbeaten in their last two league outings and were held to a 1-1 away draw at Atletico Mineiro on Sunday. Breno Lopes gave them the lead in the 25th minute, which was canceled out by Paulinho in the second half.
The visitors are unbeaten in their last eight games in all competitions, recording five wins on the trot. In their previous outing, they recorded a 3-1 home win over Juventude, thanks to second-half goals from José Manuel López, Estêvão Willian, and Mayke.
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Fortaleza vs Palmeiras Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- The two teams have crossed paths 23 times in all competitions thus far. The visitors have the upper hand in these meetings with 10 wins. The hosts have got the better of the defending champions seven times and six games have ended in draws.
- The two teams met four times in all competitions last season. The visitors had two wins, one in the league and one in the Copa do Brasil. The hosts had just one win and one meeting ended in a draw.
- Four of the last five meetings between the two teams have produced over 2.5 goals.
- Palmeiras are on a five-game winning streak in the league, scoring 13 goals while conceding just thrice.
- Fortaleza have just one win in their last four league outings, failing to score in two games in that period while conceding seven goals.
- The visitors have the second-best defensive record in the league this season, conceding six goals in 11 games.
Fortaleza vs Palmeiras Prediction
Leão do Pici have just one win in their last four games in all competitions, scoring just twice, and will look to improve upon that record. They are unbeaten in their last 12 home games in all competitions, keeping seven clean sheets, including three this month.
Verdão are unbeaten in their last eight games in all competitions and their unbeaten streak in away games stands at nine games. They have kept six clean sheets in their last eight away games and they will look to build on that form. They are winless in their last five away meetings against the hosts, failing to score in four games, which is a cause for concern.
Both teams have some absentees for this match, which is expected to impact their performance here. They play their third match in six days, so fatigue will also be a factor. With that in mind, a low-scoring draw is likely to ensue.
Prediction: Fortaleza 1-1 Palmeiras
Fortaleza vs Palmeiras Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Draw
Tip 2: Goals - Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Under 2.5 goals
Tip 3: At least one goal to be scored in the second half - Yes
Tip 4: Estêvão Willian to score or assist any time - Yes
