Fortaleza vs Santos Prediction: Both teams try to get out of a negative cycle

The last victory of these teams in the league was a month ago, in Round 14. Naturally, these results led to a big drop in their position on the table. Since then, Fortaleza lost four consecutive matches, overshadowing their image as a solid and hard-to-beat team. The Ceará side is now 13th with 23 points. Santos has not done much better in their last four games. The Fish has taken just two points, with two draws at home and two defeats away, leading to the sacking of coach Paulo Turra. As a silver lining, one can say that these games were with higher-level teams like Botafogo, Fluminense, São Paulo, and Athletico-PR, but the truth is that Santos is now in the relegation zone with 18 points.

Fortaleza

With much suffering, the Lion managed to qualify for the Copa Sudamericana quarterfinals by drawing 1-1 with Libertad. Fortaleza had won 1-0 in Paraguay in the first leg and, therefore, only needed a draw in the second leg. The Brazilians' equalizer came in the 91st minute with a magnificent direct free kick from left-footed Marinho, leading to an explosion of joy from more than 50000 spectators at the Castelão. This qualification can greatly moralize their players. The team now has to focus on the Brasileirão, trying to reach the competitive level it presented before this negative cycle, and for that, nothing better than to start by beating Santos.

Santos

One of the historical clubs of Brazilian football is going through very rough times. This week Santos entered the relegation zone, the club fired a coach, hired another, and its best player didn't show up for training. But let's go in parts. In the last match, a penalty by Marcos Leonardo in the 96' avoided defeat at home to Athletico-PR but did not prevent the drop to 17th place and the dismissal of coach Paulo Turra. Uruguayan Diego Aguirre was signed in his place. Marcos Leonardo, the team's top scorer, was unhappy with Santos' refusal to accept an offer from AS Roma to sign him. The player claimed he was not psychologically capable of training and playing for the club. In the midst of all this, we do not know how the team will perform with the new coach and without its best player in this game in Fortaleza. It is not easy to be a Santos fan at this time.

Expert Betting Tips

Fortaleza is going through its worst period of the season, but the qualification against Libertad can free the team. Santos is in an even more turbulent phase than its opponent and will debut a new coach. Can Diego Aguirre turn Santos' fortunes around? I will bet on a victory for the home team that, despite everything, gained some morale in midweek.