Preview: Sao Paulo vs. Fortaleza - prediction, team news, lineups

Sao Paulo will be looking to claim their third successive league victory when they host Fortaleza in the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A on Saturday.

The Tricolor Paulista have struggled domestically so far this season, accumulating 11 points from as many league matches, while the visitors have won only one of their last five away games.

Match preview

© Reuters

Sao Paulo head into this weekend's fixture after drawing 1-1 in the first leg of their Copa Libertadores last-16 tie against Argentinian outfit Racing Club.

A mistake from Racing goalkeeper Gabriel Arias gifted Vitor Bueno the opening goal, who tapped into an open net after 35 minutes, however their lead only lasted for just over 10 minutes as Enzo Copetti rifled in the equaliser in first-half stoppage time. Both sides created good chances after the break and pushed to score the winner, but they were eventually forced to share the spoils.

Before Hernan Crespo makes the trip to his homeland for the second leg, he and his side will now briefly turn their attention back to their domestic campaign, which is beginning to improve following a disappointing start.

After failing to win any of their first nine league matches, Sao Paulo have since won their last two games without reply, beating Internacional 2-0 and Bahia 1-0.

These results helped Crespo's men climb out the relegation zone and up to 14th in the table, four points clear of the bottom four.

Sao Paulo pulled off the double against Fortaleza last season, winning 1-0 on home soil before securing a 3-2 away victory. Claiming another positive result on Saturday could see the Tricolor Paulista move up two places into 12th and five points behind the Copa Libertadores qualification spots.

© Reuters

Fortaleza secured their third successive home victory when they narrowly beat Corinthians 1-0 on Monday.

Robson's fourth goal of the season in the 19th minute was enough for the Lion of the Pici to claim their fifth victory on home soil, the most of any side in the Brazilian top-flight so far this campaign.

Fortaleza, who have accumulated 21 points from their 11 matches, now sit in the top four and are just two points behind Bragantino in second, who they will face a week on Sunday.

As impressive as Juan Pablo Vojvoda's men have been going forward – scoring 19 league goals – they have also looked strong defensively, keeping five clean sheets and conceding just nine times; only Corinthians have conceded fewer goals in the division so far this season.

Fortaleza have never beaten Sao Paulo in a competitive match, but with the form they take into Saturday's game, Vojvoda's side will fancy their chances of securing all three points, which would move them into second place and one point behind league leaders Palmeiras.

Team News

© Reuters

Sao Paulo will be without Emiliano Rigoni (thigh), Miranda (muscle), William da Silva (knee), Luciano (thigh), and Walce (knee) due to injury.

Former Barcelona right-back Dani Alves has not been part of the matchday squad for the last two matches with a suspected knee problem, but the 38-year-old could be in contention to feature this weekend.

After scoring in midweek, Bueno could be handed a start up front, with either Pablo or Eder expected to play alongside him.

As for Fortaleza, Vojvoda is unlikely to make too many changes to his first XI and could even name the same team that beat Corinthians on Monday.

Experienced forward Wellington Paulista and midfielder Matheus Jussa will not, however, be in contention to feature as they remain on the treatment table with respective calf and shoulder injuries.

Wing-back Yago Pikachu – who has scored four goals so far this season – is set to start, with Lucas Crispim playing on the opposite flank, while strikers Robson and David will likely partner one another in attack.

Sao Paulo possible starting lineup:
Volpi; Leo, B. Alves, Arboleda; Vinicius, Santos, Liziero, Welington; Nestor; Pablo, Bueno

Fortaleza possible starting lineup:
Alves; Tinga, Benevenuto, Titi; Pikachu, Ronald, Felipe, Crispim; Vargas; Robson, David

We say: Sao Paulo 1-2 Fortaleza

Although Sao Paulo have seemingly found their form domestically, Fortaleza have looked much stronger throughout this campaign and Saturday's fixture could be a difficult task for the hosts.

A closely-fought contest is set be played out at the Estadio Cicero Pompeu de Toledo, but we feel that the visitors have enough to claim all three points and their first ever win against the Tricolor Paulista.