Vasco da Gama will look to escape the relegation zone when they host Fortaleza in the Brasileiro. The visitors are aiming for their third straight win in all competitions. The hosts are hoping to avoid going three games without a victory.
Preview (Vasco da Gama vs Fortaleza)
Vasco da Gama, who secured promotion to the top flight 12 months prior. They are still in danger of relegation as the 2023 Brasileiro season enters its last third. This is because they are currently located inside the relegation zone. Ramon Diaz’s team still has 12 games to keep themselves clear of the drop zone. The Rio de Janeiro team is only in the bottom four on goal differential. Following three straight wins over Fluminense, Coritiba, and Atletico Mineiro to close off September, Vasco da Gama struggled to win their first two games of October, losing 4-1 at Santos and then drawing 0-0 with Sao Paulo.
Vasco da Gama hasn’t gone without a victory for three games or more since a stretch of four straight losses in July, and it’s not a given that they’ll be able to do so on Thursday considering they’ve only won one of their last six meetings with Fortaleza, who come into this game on a hot streak. In fact, Fortaleza has won six straight matches without a loss. They have only lost one of their past 12 games overall. This streak was extended by their amazing 3-2 comeback victory over America Mineiro at home just under two weeks ago.
Fortaleza advanced to the Copa Sudamericana final earlier this month. They were fighting for their lives near the bottom of the table at this time last year. This time around, however, they are in sixth place and vying for a top-four finish. A victory on Thursday could help them advance to the Copa Libertadores qualifying rounds. They have won four and lost six of their 12 league games on the road. All six of those losses occurred over the course of their previous nine away games. But Fortaleza defeated Vasco da Gama previously this year. They won 2-0 at home in May on the strength of goals from Thiago Galhardo and Silvio Romero.
Team News
Patrick de Lucca, Riquelme (both ACL), Rossi, Erick Marcus, Robson Bambu, Gabriel Dias (all thigh), and Manuel Capasso (back) will all be missing for Vasco da Gama due to injury, but all seven players are nearing a comeback. Due to the 36-year-old Gary Medel’s possible prolonged suspension after being dismissed and accused of violence during the loss to Santos earlier this month, Maicon will likely continue to play with Leo Pele at center defense. French playmaker Dimitri Payet will be attempting to force his way back into the starting lineup. Leading scorer Gabriel Pec has 12 goals to his name so far this season. He will be challenging the 36-year-old for a spot on the left flank.
Hercules, a midfielder for Fortaleza, will miss the remainder of the season due to an ACL tear, and Marinho and Pedro Rocha are also out with knee injuries. Yago Pikachu, Tomas Pochettino, and Guilherme will all assist central striker Lucero in attack, who has scored 21 goals in all competitions so far this season. Vojvoda may decide to play the same lineup for the third straight game.
Both clubs have strong reasons to win on Thursday, with the home squad wanting to escape the bottom three and the visitors hoping to force their way into the top four. The last time these two teams faced off, Fortaleza prevailed, and we think they have enough talent on their roster to win again in Rio de Janeiro.
Vasco da Gama 0 – 2 Fortaleza
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