Preview: Ceara vs. Cuiaba - prediction, team news, lineups

The two teams with the most draws in Campeonato Brasileiro face off on Sunday, when Cuiaba travel to Ceara, and the visitors will be looking for a victory which would help close the gap to the top six.

Meanwhile, the hosts will be aiming to pick up consecutive victories at the weekend as they try to move away from the drop zone and into the Copa Sudamericana places.

Match preview

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Ceara occupy 13th place in the league, and they head into the weekend in the midst of a three-game unbeaten run.

Although having drawn six of their last ten games, Ceara have only lost twice in that period, demonstrating that they are a tough team to beat.

After drawing consecutive games, Tiago Nunes's side collected a victory last week, with Vina's penalty proving to be enough to edge out Fluminense.

The clean sheet against Fluminense was the 12th time in the league this season that Ceara have managed to keep their opponents at bay.

As well as a strong defence, Ceara have been hard to beat at home, losing only three league games on home turf this term, which will encourage the hosts ahead of Sunday's clash.

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Cuiaba head into the encounter in ninth position and they find themselves three points better off than Sunday's opponents.

After a win and a draw in their last two games, a victory on Sunday would help Cuiaba cement their position in the Copa Sudamericana qualification places.

Jorginho would have been disappointed with a goalless draw in midweek against bottom-of-the-table Chapecoense, which was Cuiaba's third goalless draw in their last six games.

Although, that result did reaffirm the fact that Cuiaba possess a strong defence, demonstrated by their five clean sheets in their previous six league fixtures.

Despite only losing twice on the road in the league this term, Cuiaba have struggled for away victories, with nine of their 14 games ending all square.

Team News

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Ceara are still without the injured duo of Wendson and Vitor Jacare, while Buiu is expected to miss the remainder of the season.

The hosts will also have to cope with the suspension of Gabriel Dias, who was sent off in the first half last weekend.

Nunes is likely to bring Igor into the right-back role to replace the suspended Dias.

Yesus Cabrera has missed Cuiaba's last four games with a thigh problem, and he remains a doubt for Sunday's encounter.

After playing on Thursday, Jorginho could make changes in a bid to keep his side fresh, and that could mean a change up front, with Elton making way for Jenison.

Camilo could also come into the side, with Rafael Gava dropping down to the bench.

Ceara possible starting lineup:
Riedi; Igor, Messias, Otavio, Pacheco; Fabinho, Sobral, Vinicius; Erick, Mendoza, Jael

Cuiaba possible starting lineup:
Walter; Lucas, Paulao, Empereur, Uendel; Camilo, Yuri, Pepe; Alves, Marques, Jenison

We say: Ceara 1-1 Cuiaba

Both sides have been involved in 15 draws this season, and it is difficult to see anything other than the match ending all square on Sunday, with a point suiting both teams.

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