Fluminense vs Fortaleza Prediction: Fluminense will have a tough nut to crack

This match will not take place at the Maracanã, which will not host any games for three weeks to recover the turf. The high number of matches played at the legendary stadium, plus the heavy rain that fell in Rio de Janeiro, caused the deterioration of the grass. Fluminense has yet to lose at home in the Brasileirão but will play in Volta Redonda this time, a city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, 240 km from the Cidade Maravilhosa. The Tricolor uses the Raulino de Oliveira a few times a year, but the small size of the venue doesn't cause as much of an impact on opponents as the Maracanã. In Round 11, the Cariocas drew with Atlético-MG also in Volta Redonda. Flu is motivated by qualifying for the Copa Libertadores semi-finals, but Fortaleza also achieved a similar feat this week. The Ceará side is in a good run of form and will be keen to take a point at least.

Flu beat Olimpia again, this time 3-1 in Paraguay, and will face Internacional in the Copa Libertadores semi-finals. The 2-0 win in the first leg provided some comfort for the second leg, controlled by the Cariocas. In the Brasileirão, Fernando Diniz's team is in fifth place after a draw in Curitiba against Athletico PR. After going behind, Fluminense managed to turn the result around, profiting from the sending off of an Athletico player, but conceded a goal from Vitor Roque in the 93rd minute, which took two points away from the Cariocas. In this round, the Tricolor can overtake rival Flamengo, who has a tough match against leader Botafogo.

The Leão do Pici qualified for the Copa Sudamericana semi-finals after eliminating América-MG with victories in both legs. Fortaleza will face Corinthians to decide who goes through to the cup final. The 2-1 win over the Rabbit was the fifth in a row for the Lion, who is back in good form after a dark spell of four straight defeats in the Série A. Fortaleza sits in eighth place with 32 points, three behind Fluminense. If the Cearenses win, they will match the Cariocas.

Fortaleza has a chance to get a good result against Fluminense. The Cariocas have one less day's rest and have traveled to Paraguay. Furthermore, the home advantage won't be as pronounced because the match will not be held at the Maracanã. I'm going for a surprise and a double chance for Fortaleza.