Criciúma vs Fortaleza Prediction: Fortaleza has won four straight matches

Criciúma and Fortaleza will meet in a Round 3 fixture, postponed in April due to the Cearenses' presence in the Copa do Nordeste. Fortaleza is on a roll and has climbed to fourth in the Brasileirão thanks to four consecutive wins. 

In Brasília, the Tiger lost 2-1 to Flamengo in a game marked by a strange penalty. Near the end of the game, with the score at 1-1, Everton Cebolinha was inside the area ready to shoot, when Barreto kicked a second ball on the pitch, which took the ball away from Everton's feet. The foul was clear, but the referee shouldn't have allowed the game to continue with a second ball in the box. Criciúma lost the game and suffered its second straight defeat with this penalty. The Catarinenses are in 15th place with two games in hand. However, Corinthians, Grêmio, and Fluminense, teams in the relegation zone, won their games and moved closer to Criciúma. The next match against Fortaleza is important, but it won't be easy against a team in great form.

The Lion won again at home and showed that it's a tough team to beat at the Arena Castelão. With 24 points as host, Fortaleza is the Série A side with the most points won at home. Only Fortaleza, Cruzeiro, and Juventude have yet to lose at home in the Brasileirão. The Cearenses are in fourth place, seven points behind leader Botafogo, but with one game in hand, precisely this one against Criciúma. In the Série A, the matches are very competitive, and Fortaleza must maintain a high level to win at the Heriberto Hülse.

The two teams are going through almost opposite phases. Criciúma hasn't won in four games, while Fortaleza has won the last four. In theory, Fortaleza is more confident to win the game, but the Cearenses only have two road wins. In addition, Fortaleza has never won in Criciúma in the five times the two clubs have met in the city of Santa Catarina state. Considering all the factors, I will bet on a Double Chance in favor of Fortaleza with a maximum of four goals scored.