Fortaleza vs Criciuma Prediction: Team News and Lineups Preview

There’s a full round of Brasileirão fixtures over the weekend and our South American expert, Nathan Joyes, returns to provide his Fortaleza vs Criciuma prediction, team news, lineups and fixtures preview.

Fortaleza have been the surprise package so far this season, who find themselves in third place, only behind Botafogo and Flamengo after 20 matches. With the best home form in the league, they face a Criciuma side that have lost four of their last five games on the road.

1. Fortaleza vs Criciuma Tip 1: Fortaleza to win
2. Fortaleza vs Criciuma Tip 2: Renato Kayzer to score
3. Fortaleza vs Criciuma Tip 3: BTTS Yes

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Fortaleza vs Cricuma Prediction 1: Hosts a safe bet

Brazil, Brasileirão, Saturday, August 10th, 20:00 (UK)

Fortaleza have been flying on home soil and having collected 27 points from 11 matches, they have the best record in front of their own fans in the league.

They also head into this next fixture with the best record over the last five matches, picking up 13 points, scoring ten goals and conceding just four.

Brazilian clubs are often quick to pull the trigger, but head coach Vojvoda has been with the Fortaleza for three seasons now and the club is now being rewarded for sticking to their philosophies.

A mixture of youth and experience has been the perfect recipe for their success, while new signings have blossomed and provided that extra bit of zest required to take them to the next level.

Cricuma may have beaten Juventude on the road last time out, but previous defeats to Flamengo, Corinthians, Vitoria and Sao Paulo paint a better picture of their recent away performances.

Fortaleza are the clear favourites, but it’s hard to dismiss one of the more exciting teams in Brazil’s Serie A at present. A home win looks like the obvious play on Saturday evening.

• Fortaleza vs Criciuma Prediction 1: Fortaleza to win (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 1.72
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 7/10

Fortaleza vs Cricuma Prediction 2: Forward in fine form

Renato Kayzer recently spent time with Criciuma but has returned from his loan to play a key part for Fortaleza in recent weeks.

The Brazilian forward has scored in three of his last four matches, including the winner last time out against Cruzeiro in a 2-1 victory. There was nothing glamorous about his finish on that occasion, but he’s very much a striker who knows where to position himself inside the box.

As Fortaleza’s dedicated penalty taker at present when on the pitch, he scored the spot against Sao Paulo the last time they played at home. A penalty taking edge to an anytime goalscorer bet is always useful.

Kayzer’s goal against Atletico GO showed how he can time his runs well, and also show composure in one-on-one situations. Confidence is clearly high, and it’s hard to see him being dropped in his current form.

Back at home against a recently promoted side, this is a perfect opportunity for the 28-year-old to add a fourth league goal to his tally.

• Fortaleza vs Criciuma Prediction 2: Renato Kayzer to score
• Best Odds: 2.85
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 5/10

Fortaleza vs Cricuma Prediction 3: Goals at both ends

I’ve spoken heavily about Fortaleza’s strengths, and despite Criciuma’s poor run of form on the road of late, they are outperforming expectations after 20 matches.

Many, myself included, believed they would struggle, and although they are only four points clear of the relegation zone, they’ve shown plenty in front of goal to suggest they can avoid the drop.

In their nine away matches, Cricuma have scored 14 goals. That’s more than Palmeiras, Athletico PR, São Paulo, Atletico Mineiro and Cruzeiro – who have all played more games than Criciuma.

In fact, there has only been one game across all competitions that they have failed to score in. Midfielder Matheusinho has played a big part in that with five goals, although he’s currently out injured.

However, Yannick Bolasie has taken the league by storm with four goals and three assists. It was his brace that secured the three points last time on the road vs Juventude. His power and pace has been a struggle for South Americans to get used to.

Criciuma’s attack has never been an issue, and Fortaleza’s defence will no doubt be tested.

• Fortaleza vs Criciuma Prediction 3: BTTS Yes
• Best Odds: 1.95
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 6/10

Fortaleza vs Criciuma Prediction odds via bet365 as at 10:00, August 7th, 2024. Odds may now differ.

Fortaleza vs Cricuma Possible Lineups: Bolasie is key

Fortaleza possible starting lineup:
Ricardo; Pacheco, Cardona, Kuscevic, Britez, Rossetto, Sasha, Augusto, Kayzer, Marinho, Lopes

Cricuma possible starting lineup:
Gustavo; Trauco, Angel, Figueiredo, Claudinho, Hermes, Mateus, Newton, Meritao, Bolasie, Citadin

Fortaleza vs Cricuma Match Stats

• Fortaleza has the best home record in the league picking up 27 points from 11 matches.
• Cricuma has lost four of their last five matches on the road across all competitions.
• Cricuma has only failed to score in one match this season

Fortaleza Fixtures

• Vs Rosario (A)
• Vs Bragantino (A)
• Vs Rosario (H)
• Vs Corinthians (H)
• Vs Botafogo (A)

Cricuma Fixtures

• Vs Vasco (H)
• Vs Gremio (H)
• Vs Cuiabá (A)
• Vs Palmeiras (A)
• Vs Athletico PR (H)

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