'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Fortaleza host Chapecoense at Estádio Presidente Vargas in Brazil's Serie A on Wednesday, with both sides having contrasting seasons so far.
Fortaleza had a solid start to the season, but their form has faltered of late. Juan Pablo Vojvoda's side have only won one of their last five fixtures. Tricolor de Aco are currently fourth in the league, five points off the top of the table.
They will have a great chance to potentially climb up to second in the league with a win on Thursday.
Chapecoense, on the other hand, have had a terrible start to the season. Jair Ventura's side are currently 18th in the league and on a terrible run of form.
Chape are currently on a seven-game winless streak across all competitions and have looked out of sorts of late. They will need to massively step up their performances or risk being involved in a relegation scrap this season.
Considering the contrasting form of the two sides, Fortaleza are strong favorites going into the game on Wednesday.
Fortaleza vs Chapecoense Head-to-Head
Fortaleza have dominated the head-to-head record against Chapecoense, winning both their previous meetings.
A brace from Wellington Paulista was enough to secure Fortaleza a 2-0 victory the last time they met Chapecoense in October of 2019.
Fortaleza Form Guide: W-D-D-L-D
Chapecoense Form Guide: D-D-D-L-D
Fortaleza vs Chapecoense Team News
Fortaleza
Fortaleza have no new injury worries following their 0-0 draw against Gremio last week.
Gustavo Blanco, Jackson and Jussa are all still unavailable due to injury, while Isaque has not yet been cleared to compete after testing positive for COVID-19.
Injured: Gustavo Blanco, Jackson, Jussa
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
COVID-19: Isaque
Chapecoense
Chapecoense have no new injury worries following their 2-2 draw against Athletico Paranaense last week. However, they will be missing a host of players for Wednesday's game.
Anderson Leite, Busanello, Tiepo, Joilson, Leo Gomes, Moises Ribeiro, Kadu and Alan Santos are all unavailable due to injury.
Injured: Anderson Leite, Busanello, Tiepo, Joilson, Leo Gomes, Moises Ribeiro, Kadu, Alan Santos
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Fortaleza vs Chapecoense Predicted XI
Fortaleza Predicted XI (3-4-3): Felipe Alves; Titi, Marcelo Conceicao, Tinga; Lucas Crispim, Ederson, Felipe, Yago Pikachu; David, Robson, Romarinho
Chapecoense Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Joao Paulo; Derlan, Felipe Santane, Ignacio; Mancha, Lima, Ravanelli, Matheus Ribeiro; Fernandinho, Mike; Anselmo
Fortaleza vs Chapecoense Prediction
Neither side have been in the best of form of late, and that should make for a scrappy fixture.
We predict a tight game, with Fortaleza doing enough to secure all three points.
Prediction: Fortaleza 1-0 Chapecoense
Also Read: Jim Beglin's Euro 2020: 5 young players who could become household names after the tournament
Help us improve our previews and prediction section. Take a 30 second survey now
