The final spot in the last 16 of the Copa do Brasil will be determined on Thursday, when Ceara host CRB in the second leg of that tie at Arena Castelao.
In the opening leg in early May, a 90th-minute goal enabled CRB to come away with a 1-0 victory heading into this pivotal return fixture.
Match preview
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Advancing into the round of 16 for a second time in the last three editions of the Copa do Brasil became a little more complicated for Ceara following their leg-one defeat.
That was the first time they had lost the opening leg of a third-round fixture at this tournament since suffering a 3-1 defeat versus Corinthians in 2019.
Vovo have been eliminated in each of their previous three knockout ties at the Copa do Brasil when they were beaten in the opening leg.
However, the previous time that occurred, they did manage to win leg two of their tie in 2022, but it was not enough, as they were eliminated by Fortaleza (2-1 on aggregate).
Vagner Mancini's men are unbeaten in their last six home matches in all competitions, with their most recent victory coming against Amazonas in Serie B action earlier this month (2-1).
Vozao have not lost when scoring the opening goal since a 2-1 defeat at home to Bahia during the Copa do Nordeste campaign in March.
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After some late drama in the opening match of this tie, CRB are on the verge of making the last 16 of this tournament for the first time since 2021.
It is the same position that the side from Maceio were in a season ago, when they stunned Athletico Paranaense in the opening leg of their round three tie, only to lose the return match 2-1 before being eliminated on penalties (6-3).
Galo have not won a second-leg fixture at the Copa do Brasil since defeating Juventude 1-0 in their fourth-round return engagement in 2020, though they were still knocked out of that tie, 2-1 on aggregate.
Daniel Paulista's side are winless in their last three away contests in all competitions, and are without a road victory since late March (1-0 at ASA de Arapiraca).
To this stage of the 2024 Copa do Brasil campaign, CRB have yet to concede a goal, though they failed to score in their only previous away match in the opening round this year, playing to a 0-0 draw with Rio Branco and advancing thanks to having a higher seeding.
CRB are undefeated in their last six matches in all competitions against Ceara and have not lost an away game to them since 2017 (1-0 in Serie B).
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Team News
Fernando Miguel remains sidelined for Ceara due to a cruciate ligament tear, so expect to see Richard start between the sticks once again.
When they last hosted CRB in Serie B action earlier this year, Facundo Barcelo and Kaique found the back of the net in a 2-2 draw.
There were three newcomers that did not feature for CRB against Athletic who came on as substitutes versus Ceara, including Gustavo Henrique, Facundo Labandeira and Joao Neto.
Neto had the only goal in their home victory over Ceara in the opening leg of this tie, as Matheus Albino made three stops to pick up a clean sheet.
Ceara possible starting lineup:
Richard; Raf. Ramos, Felipe, Menezes, Bahia; Castro, Richardson, Mugni; Janderson, Recalde, Aylon
CRB possible starting lineup:
Albino; Hereda, Alemao, Saimon, Formiga; Falcao, Romulo; Cesar, Gege, Jorginho; Ramon
We say: Ceara 1-0 CRB(CRB advances on penalties)
In the Serie B table, these sides are separated by just a single point, with Ceara slightly in front, and we expect to see another close one on Thursday.
At the end of the day, though, we believe that CRB's consistency in recent weeks will give them the confidence boost they need to sneak past Vozao.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
