Fortaleza vs Cruzeiro Prediction: The Fox must fight for survival

Cruzeiro is in the relegation zone in 17th place and is going through a difficult time. Three defeats in a row have prompted the club's management to sack the coach again. With two games in hand (this one against Fortaleza is one of them) and just one point behind Bahia, who is outside the Z4, the Fox depends on itself to survive. Even so, coach Zé Ricardo has not been allowed to continue. Paulo Autuori, the club's technical director, will take over as coach until the end of the championship. The Mineiros urgently need points, but it won't be easy against Fortaleza at home, despite the Cearenses' poor form.

The Lion hasn't won for six matches in the Brasilieirão, but it's actually seven games without a victory if you count the Copa Sudamericana final. The team has never recovered from the trauma of losing the final on penalties to Liga de Quito. It is now in danger of not qualifying for the South American competition next year. The team's current 12th place is the last that qualifies for the Copa Sudamericana, so Fortaleza is forbidden from dropping further down the table. Victory is necessary in the first of the two matches the Cearenses have in hand. The other is against Botafogo next week.

If Cruzeiro didn't have two games in hand, it probably wouldn't be in a relegation position, but the truth is that the level of play in recent games has been poor. The game that follows this one with Fortaleza will also be to settle the Série A calendar. The match with Vasco da Gama will take place in a few days and is part of Round 33. Cruzeiro will have to win that match with the Cariocas, who are only three points ahead. A draw in Fortaleza would put the Mineiros in a good position to overtake Vasco in that game.

Fortaleza hasn't won for a long time, and its coach, Vojvoda, has certainly taken advantage of these days without matches to give the team confidence. Playing at home, the Lion is the favorite, although Cruzeiro has a new coach and could present a new way of playing. I'm backing the home team to win.