Fortaleza’s season on the line in high-stakes derby | OneFootball

Fortaleza and Ceará are set to reignite the Clássico Rei rivalry at Arena Castelão on Sunday night, with both sides returning from the Club World Cup break for what could prove a decisive chapter in their seasons. As reported by NE45, kick-off for this 13th round Série A encounter is scheduled for 20:30 (Brasília time), and the fixture arrives with the city’s tricolores under mounting pressure.

After a turbulent run of eight matches without victory in all competitions—six of those defeats—Fortaleza find themselves in 18th place on just 10 points, deep in the relegation zone. Their most recent struggles extend across the league, Copa do Brasil, Libertadores, and Copa do Nordeste, with five consecutive losses eroding squad confidence. Victory over their arch-rivals would offer not only crucial points but also a vital lift in morale for Juan Pablo Vojvoda and his men.

Squad issues remain significant ahead of the derby. Forward Moisés, left-back Bruno Pacheco, and centre-back David Luiz are ruled out through injury, depriving Vojvoda of key options. On a more positive note, midfielder Zé Welison and winger Kervin are available for selection, and the attacking unit is further boosted by the availability of Marinho, whose recent suspension has been temporarily lifted. New Argentine recruit José Herrera, signed from Argentinos Juniors, could also make his debut, providing fresh impetus up front.

Juan Martín Lucero continues as Fortaleza’s main hope in attack, being the club’s top scorer this season. He is expected to line up alongside Breno Lopes and Pikachu, while Joāo Ricardo should remain in goal, backed by a likely defensive quartet of Brítez, Kuscevic, Mancha, and Mancuso. In midfield, Lucas Sasha’s recent contract extension until 2026 adds a measure of stability and leadership, both on the pitch and inside the dressing room.

Fortaleza’s recent home form paints a concerning picture—four straight defeats and only two goals scored in their last four outings at Castelão. Defensive discipline is also a worry, with the team collecting the highest tally of red cards in the division and conceding in each of their last six fixtures.

Historically, Ceará have enjoyed the better of recent derbies, winning three and losing just once in the last five Série A meetings between the sides, according to NE45. The head-to-head record also favours the visitors, who have taken victory in 17 of the past 43 encounters at Castelão and are unbeaten in their last five away to Fortaleza in the league.

The most common final score in this fixture remains 1-1, a nod to the fiercely balanced nature of the rivalry. Statistically, Fortaleza score a third of their goals between the 61st and 75th minutes, while Ceará are often fastest out of the blocks, netting 23% of their goals in the first 15 minutes.

With the pressure mounting and form deserting the hosts, Sunday’s clash represents an opportunity for Vojvoda’s side to reset their campaign, but Ceará arrive with momentum and a solid away record to protect.