Preview: Ceara vs. Sao Paulo - prediction, team news, lineups

Ceara take on Sao Paulo in the Brasileiro Serie A on Sunday.

The visitors have endured a wretched start to the campaign so far, currently sitting in the relegation zone having only earned three points from six matches.

Match preview

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Ceara, meanwhile, have arguably performed in line with their expectations given that they are 12th on eight points.

Vozao have never finished higher than seventh in the top tier of Brazilian football in their entire history, so to be entering their fourth consecutive season in Serie A after enduring a 17-year absence from it between 1993 and 2010 is a solid achievement.

Managed by former Sport Recife boss Guto Ferreira since March 2020, the 55-year-old has continued the fine work which saw him take his former club into Serie A.

Indeed, Thursday's dramatic win against Atletico Mineiro was testament to the spirit which Ferreira has instilled at the club, with Gabriel Lacerda's 96th-minute winner sending his fans into dreamland.

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Sao Paulo, on the other hand, appear to be stuck in a nightmare in terms of their standing in the table.

However, after ending the club's eight-year dry spell in the state championships by beating rivals Palmeiras 2-0 on aggregate last month, former AC Milan and Chelsea striker Hernan Crespo will almost certainly receive time and patience to improve Tricolour Paulista's league form.

With one major drought over, next on the agenda will be securing a first Serie A title since 2008. Having lifted the Copa Libertadores and World Club Cup three years earlier in 2005, it seems unthinkable that a club of Sao Paulo's size and great history could go so long without establishing themselves as Brazil's best club.

Given that they are already 11 points behind league leaders Bragantino heading into Sunday's trip to Ceara, it may already be too late in terms of ending that particular barren run this season.

Team News

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Ceara have been struck by a COVID-19 outbreak, making their win against Atletico Mineiro all the more impressive.

Klaus, Alan, Luiz Otavio, Fabinho, Richard, Rick Morais and Cleber all missed the victory due to quarantining, with none of the seven players expected to return in time against Sao Paulo.

Joao Richard and Vitor Jacare also remain out for Ferreira's side with hand and ACL injuries respectively.

Sao Paulo have a busy treatment table themselves, which is hardly helping Crespo's cause in terms of improving his side's fortunes.

Luciano, Anderson Hernanes, William, Miranda, Luan Santos and Walce will all remain out for Sunday's trip to Ceara.

Former Barcelona defender Dani Alves will be hoping for a start after coming off the bench in Wednesday's 2-2 draw with Cuiaba, but may need to further prove his match fitness before being considered from the outset.

Ceara possible starting lineup:
Machado; Dias, Messias, Lacerda, Pacheco; Sobral, Marlon; Liam, Jorginho, Mendoza; Mineiro

Sao Paulo possible starting lineup:
Volpi; Costa, Alves, Leo; Orejuela, Liziero, Sara, Benitez, Wellington; Rigoni, Eder

We say: Ceara 1-2 Sao Paulo

We think Sao Paulo can take advantage of Ceara's COVID-19 outbreak by registering their first league win of the season.

Crespo's side showed green shoots of improvement - certainly offensively - last time out, which can be built upon in the coming weeks.