RB Bragantino vs Fortaleza Prediction: Fortaleza is living the dream

Fortaleza hasn't lost in eight league games and is the Brazilian team in better form. The Cearenses have climbed to second place in the Série A with 42 points and one game in hand, just one point behind leader Botafogo. The club's fans are beginning to dream of a league title, but the season is long, and the teams' form fluctuates constantly in the Brasileirão. The next game is on the road against RB Bragantino, ranked 11th in the standings.

The Massa Bruta haven't won in six games, which is unusual given the team's consistency. In the Copa Sudamericana, Red Bull hosted and lost 2-1 to Corinthians in Ribeirão Preto, 288km from Bragança Paulista. Bragantino's stadium, the Nabi Abi Chedid, doesn't have the minimum capacity for 20,000 people required by Conmebol. The visitors came out strong and were already leading 2-0 after 14 minutes. RB Bragantino reduced the deficit in the 56th minute through Helinho, but the result remained unchanged. Coach Pedro Caixinha will likely make some changes in the starting eleven against Fortaleza as Red Bull will decide its future in the Copa Sudamerican a few days later.

The Lion also played for the Copa Sudamericana and drew 1-1 in Argentina against Rosario Central. Fortaleza got a positive result and is in a favorable position to progress to the quarter-finals. In the last round of the Brasileirão, the Cearenses beat Criciúma 1-0 at home and maintained their unbeaten run at the Arena Castelão. Vojvoda's team didn't impress but secured the three points, which was the most important thing. Fortaleza can reach the top of the table in case of a victory, as Botafogo and Flamengo, 1st and 3rd respectively, will meet in this round.

It's not an easy game to predict, as both teams are in the middle of a Copa Sudamericana knockout round that will conclude in a few days. The managers will probably rotate their starting eleven to manage the players' physical condition. In psychological terms, Fortaleza players are confident after eight games unbeaten in the Brasileirão. As the Cearenses recorded a good away result in the Copa Sudamericana, Pablo Vojvoda might field a team close to ideal against Bragantino. I'm betting on a Double Chance in favor of Fortaleza.