Currently languishing 12th in the Campeonato Brasileiro standings, Corinthians will seek an improvement in fortunes when they host rock-solid Ceara on Sunday.
Unbeaten in 11 matches since June, the visitors are four places and five points better off than their counterparts and have one eye on Copa Libertadores qualification for next term.
Match preview
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Since their last win, versus 10-man Cuiaba in July, Corinthians have taken only a point from their next two outings - a 3-1 defeat against in-form Flamengo and their Sao Paulo derby with Santos, who they held to a goalless draw.
As a result, Timao have lost three of their last five fixtures to stagnate in the Serie A standings and are now closer to the bottom four than the continental qualification places.
Largely inconsistent throughout a frustrating 2021 campaign so far, the side managed by former Lyon boss Sylvinho - who did not last long at the Ligue 1 club - have only once scored more than one goal in any game this season.
In fact, they have failed to hit the net with any regularity at all, and only five other sides have registered fewer than their paltry tally of 12 league goals following another blank last Sunday.
Their proud support have been growing impatient, as not only is their team lacking zest in the Brazilian top flight, their interest in the cup competitions has long since ended too.
Sylvinho, then, will be keen to repay the faith of a club he represented with great skill at the start of his playing career, before moving to Europe - featuring for Arsenal and Barcelona. Certainly, a repeat of the 2-1 victory Corinthians enjoyed over this week's opponents back in February would not go amiss for a man under increasing scrutiny.
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Having also drawn 0-0 last time out, Ceara still sit comfortably clear of their more illustrious hosts in the table and are proven specialists at grinding out a point from challenging fixtures.
While the Alvinegro have only suffered two league defeats to date - one of the best records in the whole division - they have also won just five of their 15 matches.
A modest outfit from the city of Fortaleza, they have never finished higher than seventh in the top tier of Brazilian football and - currently occupying that position in Serie A - are making the most of a fourth consecutive season among the elite, after previously enduring a 17-year absence.
Head coach Guto Ferreira steered Ceara to 11th in the Brasileiro last term, after narrowly avoid the drop a year earlier, and can now realistically aim for a place in the Copa Libertadores as his team are separated from the last qualifying spot only by goal difference.
As they host high-flyers Palmeiras and Flamengo in two of their next three games, though, the former Bahia boss will surely be targeting this Sunday's encounter for a more likely three-point haul.
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Team News
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Corinthians coach Sylvinho will consider changes to his starting XI, following some lacklustre performances - particularly in the final third - with veteran striker Jo (on four Serie A goals so far) requiring more support in his role as a lone striker.
Colombian midfielder Victor Cantillo has been ruled out by a thigh injury, which may sideline him until the end of the month, but the home side have few other injury concerns.
First name on the teamsheet, Brazil international goalkeeper Cassio will captain the side behind a back four which boasts one of the better defensive records in the division, despite the club's recent struggles.
The visitors, meanwhile, will be without former Fortaleza defender Gabriel Dias (knee), Klaus (shoulder) and Joao Ricardo (knee) through injury, but are unlikely to make many changes to a settled side.
Therefore, the attacking trident of Lima, Vina and Stiven Mendoza should again join forces at the top of Guto Ferreira's favoured 4-3-3 formation at Neo Quimica Arena.
Corinthians possible starting lineup:
Cassio; Fagner, Victor, Gil, Santos; Roni, Gabriel; Gustavo, Guiliano, Mosquito; Jo
Ceara possible starting lineup:
Richard; Sobral, Messias, Lacerda, Pacheco; Cleber, Willian, Marlon; Lima, Vina, Mendoza
We say: Corinthians 1-1 Ceara
Corinthians may fall short in and around the opposition penalty area, but are still capable of grinding out a draw on Sunday - if they can find some rare inspiration in front of goal.
Having shared the spoils in more than half the games they have played this term, Ceara are accustomed to close-fought affairs, and this could be another - making it nine draws from 16 in all.
Top tip
Data Analysis
Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Corinthians win with a probability of 36.54%. A win for Ceara had a probability of 35.17% and a draw had a probability of 28.3%.
The most likely scoreline for a Corinthians win was 1-0 with a probability of 11.59%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 2-1 (7.74%) and 2-0 (6.78%). The likeliest Ceara win was 0-1 (11.31%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (13.23%). The actual scoreline of 3-1 was predicted with a 3% likelihood. Our data analysis correctly predicted that Corinthians would win this match.
