Internacional welcome Ceara to Estadio Jose Pinheiro Borda this weekend in the Brasileiro Serie A, looking to build on their recent success in the bid to steer further away from the relegation zone.

Bruno Tabata scored in stoppage time to hand the hosts a 1-0 victory in their last match against Vitoria, taking them out of the drop zone.

Match preview

Tabata’s stoppage-time winner against Vitoria ended Internacional’s six-game winless run in the league and temporarily lifted them out of the bottom four. 

It was a scrappy but much-needed victory that gave Roger Machado some breathing room amid growing pressure, and with just three wins in 13 league games, Inter know the fight for survival is far from over.

Their home form has been the one shining light in an otherwise difficult campaign, with all three of their Serie A wins this season having come on home turf, and they will look to build on that advantage once again. 

History is also on their side, as they are unbeaten in their last six games against Ceara, winning three and drawing three.

Ceara, on the other hand, have made a decent return to the top flight, sitting 10th with 18 points from 13 games, and their campaign has been built on disciplined home performances, despite losing 1-0 to Corinthians on home soil last time out.

They improved their away form in recent weeks, with Leonardo Rodrigues Conde’s men winning three consecutive away games across all competitions, including a key 1-0 win over Fortaleza in their last league trip, their first away triumph in the current Serie A campaign.

However, breaking their poor record at Beira-Rio will be no easy task, as Ceara have not won away at Internacional since 2017.

In fact, their last win in the fixture came back in 2019, and if they are to change that, they will need a sharp display on both ends of the pitch, having struggled to find the net in recent weeks.

Internacional Brasileiro form:

Internacional form (all competitions):

Ceara Brasileiro form:

Ceara form (all competitions):

Team News

Internacional will be missing a number of players, with Lucca Pelosi Drummond and Vitinho, who are both out injured until later this month.

Alexandro Bernabei is doubtful, while Bruno Gomes and Fernando are both sidelined until October with knee issues.

Ceara will be without Lucas Mugni, who is suspended for the clash due to accumulated yellow cards, and Luiz Otavio, who is sidelined with an injury.

Lourenco could play from the start in place of Mugni, while Aylon will lead the line again, looking to bag his fifth league goal.

Internacional possible starting lineup:

Rochet; Gabriel, Vitao, Clayton, Aguirre; Maia, Henrique; Carbonero, Patrick, Wesley; Tabata

Ceara possible starting lineup:

Bruno; Silva, Marllon, Machado, Bahia; Sobral, Dieguinho; Henrique, Lourenco, Raul; Aylon

We say: Internacional 1-1 Ceara

While Internacional have failed to get going this season, Ceara are not perfectly placed to exploit that given their poor away results so far.

However, the visitors tasted their first victory on the road in their last trip, and this could be a base to build on, leaving them with the chance of earning at least a draw.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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