Fortaleza vs Corinthians Prediction: The Cearenses chase the first place

Fortaleza is having an extraordinary season and is currently in second place, one point behind leader Botafogo. The Cearenses have a game in hand, so it's up to them to climb to first place. In midweek, they qualified for the Copa Sudamericana quarter-finals, and their confidence levels have risen even more.

The Lion hosted and beat Rosario Central 3-1 in the second leg of the Copa Sudamericana Round of 16. Last season, Fortaleza lost in the competition's final and looks set to make another attempt at the trophy. In the first leg, the teams had drawn 1-1 in Argentina, so Vojvoda's side had home advantage in the second leg to secure qualification. Rosario scored in the 48th minute, but Fortaleza scored three goals, confirming its excellent form. In the next phase of the competition, the Ceará side will face Corinthians, precisely the next opponent in the Brasileirão.

The Timão eliminated Bragantino from the Copa Sudamericana on penalties after losing 2-1 at home. In the first leg, the Paulistas had won 2-1 but struggled at home and narrowly escaped elimination. Díaz's men continue to disappoint, but they are in the quarter-finals of the Copa Sudamericana and the Copa do Brasil. In the Série A, Corinthians is in the relegation zone and has only won four games in 23 rounds. Fortaleza is the only team unbeaten at home in the league, and Corinthians will likely suffer.

Fortaleza is going through an extraordinary moment, and its fans are starting to dream of titles. The Cearenses are in second place in the league, just one point behind the leader with one game in hand. Fortaleza qualified, in midweek, for the Copa Sudamericana quarter-finals by beating Rosario Central 3-1 at the Castelão. The Lion is the only side that hasn't lost yet at home in the Brasileirão, so it would be a surprise to lose to Corinthians, a team that has only won four times in the Série A. The Brasileirão is full of unexpected results, but I'm betting on a Fortaleza victory.