Fortaleza vs Athletico-PR Prediction: The home team is the favorite to win

Two teams from the middle of the table with the same points earned face each other in the capital of Ceará in another Brasileirão match. More than 30,000 Fortaleza fans will be in the stands at the Castelão, where the home team is yet to lose. Athletico is a team that struggles away from home, despite the quality of its players. In the 17 times the teams have faced each other, the Paranaenses have won 8 times and the Cearenses 4 times. Both clubs are still in South American competitions, so this match of round 14 will undoubtedly be interesting.

The Lion lost at the Maracanã against Flamengo by 2-0 in the last round. Fortaleza missed a penalty in the 10th minute of the match, with the score still tied. The game story could have been different if Yago Pikachu had not wasted such a clear opportunity. Now back at home, the Cearenses hope to return to winning ways and improve the 11th place they occupy in the standings. With 20 points, only one behind Fluminense, sixth of the table, the team wants to take advantage of the two consecutive home games to get six points. Next round Fortaleza hosts Cuiabá.

Madson and Vitor Roque are suspended due to the third yellow card and cannot play. Vitor Roque has already scored seven goals in the league and is the second-best scorer in the Brasileirão, just behind Botafogo's Tiquinho. The transfer of the wonder-kid to Barcelona is about to be made official, but everything indicates that the striker will remain in Brazil until January. For this game, however, the Furacão cannot count on Vitor Roque, who will be sorely missed. There is also the possibility that some players can rest for the decisive game of the Copa do Brasil against Flamengo. In the last round, Athletico managed to stop Palmeiras with a 2-2 draw at home. Away from home, the only victory was against Internacional in the fifth round. Although the Paranaenses also have 20 points, they are two places above Fortaleza because they have more victories, the tie-breaker criterion in the Brasileirão.

The statistics tell us that Fortaleza has a better chance of winning. The Leão is very strong at home and will have the support of their passionate crowd. Athletico-PR hasn't won away since May and will have important absences for this game. I'm betting on Fortaleza to win.