Preview: Corinthians vs. Fortaleza - prediction, team news, lineups

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Sports Mole previews Wednesday's Copa Sudamericana clash between Corinthians and Fortaleza, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Corinthians will host Fortaleza at Corinthians Arena for the second leg of their Copa Sudamericana quarterfinal tie on Wednesday.

The hosts hold the advantage in this tie, having scored one goal in each half to secure a 2-0 win in the first leg at Arena Castelao last Tuesday.

Match preview

Corinthians forward Yuri Alberto in action in November 2023. © Reuters

Igor Coronado found the net from 25 yards with a first-time effort to give Corinthians the lead in the 39th minute, and it seemed like the only goal of the day until Yuri Alberto struck late in the game to hand the Timao a comfortable 2-0 cushion heading into the return leg.

Corinthians have reached this stage in three of their last four appearances in this competition and have progressed on the previous occasions, looking set to do so again this time.

More encouraging for Ramon Diaz's team will be the fact that the hosts have never lost at home against Wednesday's visitors, winning seven and drawing five of 12 such games.

Corinthians have also remained unbeaten in their last 12 home matches across all competitions, drawing seven and winning five, including the last three – the most recent of these was a 3-0 win over Atletico GO in a Brazilian Serie A game on Saturday.

However, after winning all home games during the group stage while scoring 11 and conceding none, Timao lost to Bragantino on home soil in the round of 16, and will be wary of becoming complacent on Wednesday.

Fortaleza coach Juan Vojvoda reacts on July 12, 2024 © Reuters

Fortaleza failed to respond after going behind in the first half, but Juan Pablo Vojvoda would be more disappointed that his side conceded the second late in the game, making the task even tougher in the second leg.

It was the first home loss for Leao do Pici in the competition this season, having won all four home games prior to the defeat against Corinthians last time out.

While Fortaleza have picked up the most home wins in this competition, they have won just once in four away games so far, offering little hope of a potential comeback.

Vojvoda's side bounced back from the first leg defeat with a 4-1 win in the Brazilian Serie A on Sunday – a result they will hope inspires them to a comeback on Wednesday.

However, the hosts have only won once in this competition against a fellow Brazilian team, beating Internacional at home last year in the round of 32 by a 1-0 score.

Corinthians Copa Sudamericana form:

Corinthians form (all competitions):

Fortaleza Copa Sudamericana form:

Fortaleza form (all competitions):

Team News

Corinthians players celebrating on July 30, 2024 © Imago

Corinthians will continue to be without Ruan Oliveira, who is out with an ACL injury, while Alex Santana is not expected to return from his thigh problem until early November.

Diego Palacios is also sidelined with a knee injury until next month, and Raniele is also expected to remain out until next month with a groin issue.

Memphis Depay made his debut for the hosts in their league match on Saturday and will be hoping to make his first appearance in this competition on Wednesday.

For this return leg, Fortaleza have Bruno Pacheco and Moises sidelined with knee and thigh injuries respectively, with both players only expected to return next month.

Juan Martin Lucero, who has scored seven goals in the Sudamericana this season to be joint-second on the scorers' chart, will be the man the visitors look up to for goals.

Corinthians possible starting lineup:
Souza; Hugo, Caca, Torres, Fagner; Bidon, Ryan, Charles; Coronado; Magno, Alberto

Fortaleza possible starting lineup:
Ricardo; Tinga, Kuscevic, Titi, Jonatan; Sasha, Hercules; Pikachu, Pochettino, Lopes; Lucero

SM words green background

We say: Corinthians 2-1 Fortaleza (Corinthians advances 4-1 on aggregate)

Corinthians have been exceptional on home soil in this fixture and have demonstrated resilience at home since June, going 12 matches without a home defeat.

Knowing that a draw or a loss by a single goal margin will take them through, the hosts will be more composed in their approach to this game and will be ready to exploit any significant space left at the back by Fortaleza, who will need to attack.

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

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