Fortaleza vs Palmeiras Predictions

• Table-topping Palmeiras have won 14 of their last 18 games in all competitions.
• Fortaleza, meanwhile, are without a win in four.
• The struggling hosts have only won once on their own turf in Serie A this season, drawing four and losing three.

Bottom faces top in Brazil

Copa Libertadores holders Palmeiras boosted their hopes of a third consecutive continental title by crushing Paraguay’s Cerro Porteno 5-0 in midweek, sealing an 8-0 aggregate win, and turn their attention back to their Brazilian title push when they travel to Fortaleza. With Abel Ferreira’s Verdao winning 14 of their last 18 games in a remarkable run, they will be overwhelmingly confident of beating the division’s bottom club.

Indeed, Palmeiras were beaten by fellow title contenders Athletico Paranaense last time out in Serie A, but have otherwise been in imperious form; they are the only team without an away defeat in the Brazilian top flight this year, have the league’s best attacking (27 goals) and defensive (12 against) records, and have racked up 22 goals in their last eight outings.

Fortaleza were themselves dumped out of the Libertadores by Estudiantes in midweek after a 3-0 loss, making it four games without a win and leaving them to focus on a dreadful league campaign. Juan Pablo Vojvoda’s men have won just twice in their 2022 league campaign, both against mid-table opponents, and have picked up just one win in eight home matches, scoring a dire four goals in those games.

Verdao should face few problems

Palmeiras’ terrific form makes this one appear an absolute banker, with the Verdao an overwhelmingly good bet to make it 15 wins from 19 games, avenging the remarkable double Fortaleza completed over them last season.

Having kept six clean sheets in 10 games and only conceded four times on the road this term, the visitors look good for a routine 2-0 win over their blunt hosts.

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