Preview: Bragantino vs. Ceara - prediction, team news, lineups

Unbeaten Brasileiro leaders Bragantino will be looking to maintain their impressive start to the campaign when they take on Ceara at Nabi Abi Chedid Stadium on Thursday.

The Red Bull-backed outfit have won five and drawn two of their opening seven matches, while Ceara are down in 12th after a mixed start to the 2021 campaign.

Match preview

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Weverton's goal eight minutes from time earned Bragantino a 1-0 win over Atletico Goianiense last weekend, that late goal strengthening his side's grip on top spot.

Braga now have a four-point lead on second-placed Athletico Paranaense, who have a game in hand, and the aim will be to remain there for the rest of the season.

Monday's win over Goianiense was Bragantino's fourth in a row in the Brasileiro, giving them a return of 17 points from the first 21 on offer.

The 17 goals Mauricio Barbieri's side have scored is the best return of any team in the division, though the nine goals against shows that there is still some room for improvement.

Another clean sheet is certainly achievable against Ceara, though, as the Vozao have kept out the opposition just once in their opening seven matches.

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Guto Ferreira's charges have won two, lost two and drawn three of those games, most recently playing out a 1-1 draw with Sao Paulo at the weekend.

Jorginho fired Ceara ahead after 23 minutes at Arena Castelao, but a Gabriel Dias own goal in the second half meant Ferreira's side had to settle for a share of the spoils.

That draw did at least stretch Ceara's unbeaten run to three matches, and they are just two points off the top six, which would mean Copa Libertadores qualification.

They do not have a good recent record against Bragantino, however, having lost the last two encounters, including a 2-1 loss when the sides most recently met in January.

Team News

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Bragantino have been without Jan Hurtado, who has been on Copa America duty with Venezuela, while Luan Candido and Bruno Tubarao have been carrying injuries.

Claudinho was back in the starting lineup against Atletico GO after missing his side's last three games, and he appeared to come through that game unscathed.

Barbieri may be tempted to bring Weverton into the side, meanwhile, following the full-back's winning goal last time out after replacing Rafael.

As for Ceara, their squad has been bolstered by the returns of Luiz Otavio, Fabinho, Richard, Rick and Cleber after each of those players were ruled out with coronavirus.

Richard was brought straight back into the side for the 1-1 draw with Sao Paulo, while the others may feature in Thursday's clash with Bragantino.

Vina and Jael are also pushing for recalls after being introduced from the bench last weekend.

Bragantino possible starting lineup:
Cleiton; Weverton, Bruno, Ortiz, Edimar; Evangelista, Raul; Artur, Claudinho, Helinho; Ytalo

Ceara possible starting lineup:
Richard; Dias, Messias, Lacerda, Pacheco; Sobral, Marlon; Lima, Jorginho, Mendoza; Mineiro

We say: Bragantino 2-0 Ceara

Bragantino have momentum on their side and will be looking to keep hold of top spot with a fifth win in a row on Thursday.

Ceara have made themselves tough to beat, but we cannot see them taking any points off the division's top team.