Fortaleza vs Ceará Predictions, Lineups & Betting Tips

Match Details: July 14, 2025 | Estádio Governador Plácido Castelo | Brasileirão Betano | 00:30 BST

A desperate Fortaleza takes on Ceará in the Brazilian top-flight as the league recommences following its clubs partaking in the FIFA Club World Cup. It is difficult to call a clear favourite, but both sides need three points on Monday. We can expect a sell-out crowd for the derby.

Key Betting Tip: Ceara to Win at 3.06 odds represents excellent value based on the tip provided by our team of in-house tipsters.

Fortaleza vs Ceará Predicted Lineups

Fortaleza Predicted XI: Ricardo; Brítez, Kuscevic, Mancha, Barbosa; Pochettino, Pereira, Sasha; Marinho, Lucero, Lopes.

Ceará Predicted XI: Miguel; Souza, Marllon, Machado, Bahia; Dieguinho, Sobral, Mugni; Galeano, Raul, Henrique.

Juan Pablo Vojvoda will only be without Moisés for Monday, while Léo Condé’s Ceará will be missing Luiz Otávio and Richard for the trip to Fortaleza.

Fortaleza are expected to make just one change from their defeat to Bahia, with Breno Lopes returning in place of Emmanuel Martínez. Ceará also make just one change from their cup victory, with Miguel coming in between the sticks for Bruno Ferreira.

Fortaleza vs Ceará Current League Standings

After a magnificent season in 2024, finishing in fourth place, they currently occupy a relegation place. Fortaleza have almost matched their losses column in 26 fewer games. They have currently lost their past seven matches so will be desperate to right their recent wrongs and get back on track.

Ceará meanwhile, were promoted last season and have got off to a good start, but after a good break, they will hope to improve on their current position and even climb into the top 8.

Fortaleza vs Ceará Head-to-Head Timeline

These sides have met in excess of 80 times in history. Ceará have had the better of this fixture, and in recent times too.

Recent Head-to-Head Results:

March 2025: Ceará 1-1 Fortaleza (Cearense)

March 2025: Fortaleza 0-1 Ceará (Cearense)

February 2025: Fortaleza 1-2 Ceará (Cearense)

November 2024: Fortaleza 3-1 Ceará (Taça Fares Lopes)

April 2024: Ceará 1-1 Fortaleza - 3-2 Ceará on Penalties (Cearense)

Monday’s hosts have not had the rub of the green in recent meetings, so they face an uphill task to prove they are eager to make an effort to improve their position. They have not won in three games, so will look to put an end to this run.

Ceará meanwhile, have an excellent record against Fortaleza, so will fancy themselves at pushing up the standings. The break may not have been what they wanted as they were in good form, but they have now had the chance to reset, and they will be raring to go.

Recent Fortaleza and Ceará Matches Analysis

Fortaleza Last 5 Matches:

Bahia 2-1 Fortaleza (Copa do Nordeste)

Fortaleza 2-3 Santos (Brasileirão Betano)

Flamengo 5-0 Fortaleza (Brasileirão Betano)

Racing 1-0 Fortaleza (CONMEBOL Libertadores)

Fortaleza 0-2 Cruzeiro (Brasileirão Betano)

The break in the season came at a perfect time for Fortaleza. They are in horrible form, without a win in nine, seven losses on the bounce and just two wins all campaign. Now that they are done with the Libertadores for now, and have exited the cup competition, they can focus fully on the league and survival for the foreseeable future.

Ceará Last 5 Matches:

Sport 0-0 Ceará – Ceará win 4-2 on pens (Copa do Nordeste)

Sampaio Corrêa 1-2 Ceará (Copa do Nordeste)

Botafogo 3-2 Ceará (Brasileirão Betano)

Ceará 0-1 Atlético-MG (Brasileirão Betano)

Palmeiras 3-0 Ceará (Copa Betano do Brasil)

Ceará are on a good cup run in the Copa do Nordeste, making it to the Semifinals. Their league form has taken a hit as a result, but after achieving promotion last season, 12th place is a good start. Their recent cup games should give them the confidence to give Fortaleza a very tough game.

Fortaleza vs Ceará Predictions

Our advanced algorithm analyses over 200 data points to generate these predictions with confidence in a Ceará victory. The model factors in current form, head-to-head records, player availability, and tactical matchups.

Best Fortaleza vs Ceará Betting Tips

Football Park’s Best Bet: Ceará to Win @ 3.06 - Our team of in-house betting tipsters have predicted a Ceara win in this fixture. Ceara have been in much better form and look by far the better side with more confidence.

Key Players to Watch: Fortaleza vs Ceará

Lucas Sasha could be an issue to get through for Ceará. The midfielder is not afraid to get stuck, averaging 4 tackles per game and 1.1 interceptions, proving that Ceará will need to get past him if they are going to score.

Ceará’s forward Pedro Raul has been on song in his 11 league matches thus far. He has grabbed six goals and gets away 2.5 shots per game, showing how clinical he is. Fortaleza’s backline need to be aware of him in the defensive transition.

Fortaleza vs Ceará Match Facts

Referee: Raphael Claus. The Brazilian official has taken charge of 234 Brasileirão Betano fixtures, and gives out an average of 4.5 yellow cards a game. He is not afraid to show the red card either, giving out 61 in this time, an average of 0.26 per match.

Stadium Information: The Estadio Governador Plácido Castelo is located in Fortaleza, Brazil and plays host to both teams in this fixture. It occupies up to 63,904 spectators. On top of domestic competitions, the venue has also held both Copa Libertadores and Sudamericana fixtures in recent years.