Relegated, unpaid and on their 66th player – Ponte Preta face a Fortaleza side chasing promotion
Ponte Preta’s season has been one of the worst in Série B history. They are bottom with 14 points, already relegated, and now trying to avoid finishing below Duque de Caxias‘ record low of 17 points from 2011. ge reports that some players went around six months without being paid, the squad went on strike for a week in August, and the club has used 66 players this year. Fortaleza come in fourth on 60 points, unbeaten in 15 games, and know a win could lift them into the top two.
Ponte Preta have failed to score in 18 of their 34 Série B games and have scored just 19 goals all season.
Predicted lineups: Ponte Preta vs Fortaleza
Ponte Preta are again playing at Indaiatuba while the pitch at the Moisés Lucarelli is relaid. Gilson Kleina gets back Ryan Andrade and Sergio Palacios, but right-back Júlio, midfielders André Lima and Miguel and forward Jonathan Cafu are injured. Fortaleza travelled with 24 players and have six absences. Centre-back Tomás Cardona is suspended after his third booking, and Jailson was sent off last time out. Forwards Luiz Fernando and Juan Camilo Cantillo and midfielders Lucas Sasha and Lucas Crispim stayed in Fortaleza for treatment. Both line-ups follow Diário do Nordeste’s predicted XIs.
Ponte Preta Team News & Preview
The financial crisis has wrecked the squad. Coach Márcio Zanardi resigned during the strike, the club had to field youth players to avoid a walkover against América-MG, and new signings could only be registered once a partnership with Boavista’s investors cleared three transfer bans. Brandão is the top scorer with just four league goals.
The numbers are as bad as the background. Ponte average 0.56 goals and 3.2 shots on target per game, and they have scored in only three of their last nine league games. Last week’s 1-1 draw with Atlético-GO ended a run of four straight defeats. At home they have been slightly better going forward, though: they have scored in 11 of their 17 home games.
What works for or against Ponte Preta
- Drew 1-1 with Atlético-GO last weekend.
- Only 19 goals in 34 league games.
- Failed to score in six of their last nine games.
- Already relegated, with players unpaid for months.
Fortaleza Team News & Preview
Paulo Autuori’s side are built on defence. They have conceded 29 goals in 34 games and kept 15 clean sheets, and they usually set up with a back five. Away from home they have won their last three, including 2-0 at Sport Recife last weekend, and they have kept clean sheets in four of their last five league games on the road.
The absences are a concern, though. Cardona and Jailson are both banned, so the defence and midfield are reshuffled, and Luiz Fernando and Cantillo are big losses up front. Fortaleza’s wins are also rarely comfortable: they average only 1.21 goals per game, and many of their results this season have been 1-0s.
What works for or against Fortaleza
- 15 clean sheets and only 29 goals conceded.
- Unbeaten in 15 league games.
- Clean sheets in four of their last five away games.
- Cardona and Jailson are suspended.
Ponte Preta vs Fortaleza Odds
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Ponte Preta vs. Fortaleza Stats Comparison
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Ponte Preta vs. Fortaleza Form Guide
Ponte Preta Form, Stats & Data
Ponte create less than one expected goal per game and convert even less. With 40% possession, they will spend long spells without the ball against a side that is comfortable defending deep.
Fortaleza Form, Stats & Data
Fortaleza’s numbers are those of a solid, careful side rather than a dominant one. They concede little, but their own attack is not prolific, which is why I prefer to focus on Ponte’s goals rather than on a big Fortaleza win.
Ponte Preta vs Fortaleza: Prediction & Betting Tip
I do not want to rely on Fortaleza’s attack, which is missing Luiz Fernando and Cantillo and averages barely over a goal per game. Their defence is a different matter: 15 clean sheets, four clean sheets in their last five away games, and a team that is happy to protect a lead. Ponte have scored 19 goals in 34 games and drawn a blank in six of their last nine.
The strongest argument against this bet is Ponte’s home record in front of goal – they have scored in 11 of 17 home games – and the fact that Fortaleza’s back line is reshuffled without Cardona. A scrappy goal from a set piece is always possible. But a relegated, unpaid squad against one of the best defences in the division points to a quiet night for Ponte’s forwards. I am backing Ponte Preta under 0.5 team goals at 1.64 with Winz and expect a 1-0 away win.