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

Two sides locked on four points apiece in the Brasileiro meet at Estadio Beira-Rio on Sunday as Internacional take on Ceara.

The visitors are two places above their opponents in 12th on goal difference after both teams fell to defeat in midweek.

Match preview

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Internacional finished as runners-up in the Brazilian top flight last season, but they have made a slow start to this latest campaign.

The Red remain without a coach after Miguel Angel Ramirez recently stepped aside, with Osmar Loss remaining in interim charge for at least one more game.

Loss's side appeared to have turned a corner with a 1-0 win against Bahia last weekend, but they followed that up with a 1-0 reverse at the hands of Atletico Mineiro on Wednesday.

Only two sides - Chapecoense and Juventude - have a worse goal difference than Internacional, largely due to their 5-1 defeat against Fortaleza in their second game.

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Ceara finished mid-table in the Brasileiro last season and are 12th with four games of this campaign played, having won one, lost two and drawn one so far.

That sole win came in their first game when beating Gremio 3-2, but defeats to Santos and Bahia, sandwiching a stalemate with Chapecoense, has taken the wind out of their sails.

Saulo Mineiro gave Ceara the lead against Bahia on Thursday, only for quickfire goals from Gilberto - including one from the penalty spot - to turn the game on its head.

Taking all competitions into account, the visitors are now winless in five matches, while opponents Internacional have lost three of their last four.

Momentum is not exactly with either side heading into this showdown, then, and both teams could do with a morale-boosting victory on Sunday.

Team News

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Internacional remain without Carlos Palacios and Paolo Guerrero, who are away on international duty, while Taison is an injury doubt for the hosts.

However, Lucas Ribeiro is back from suspension and is expected to slot back into the defence alongside Victor Cuesta.

Thiago Galhardo is without a goal in five games but should get the nod to lead the line again here.

As for Ceara, Joao Ricardo is their only confirmed injury absentee, though Pedro Naressi is also carrying a knock.

Mineiro's goal against Bahia was his first of the season, and that should be enough to see him selected at the head of the attack.

Internacional possible starting lineup:
Daniel; Rodrigues, Cuesta, Ribeiro, Moises; Johnny, Edenilson, Mauricio; Alberto, Galhardo, Patrick

Ceara possible starting lineup:
Richard; Dias, Klaus, Messias, Pacheco; Oliveira, Charles; Mendoza, Jorginho, Lima; Mineiro

We say: Internacional 2-1 Ceara

The two sides have identical records in the Brasileiro this season, winning just two of their eight games between them.

Internacional remain without a head coach, though we can see them digging deep here to pick up all three points and begin their ascent up the division.