Ceará Hosts Palmeiras in Copa do Brasil Thrilling Matchup

FORTALEZA, Brazil — Ceará faces Palmeiras on Wednesday, April 30, at 7:30 p.m. in the Arena Castelão for the first leg of the third round of the Copa do Brasil. Both teams are eager to advance in the tournament, with Ceará aiming to extend its unbeaten home streak.

This season, Ceará has not lost at home, recording nine wins and four draws in 13 matches. They are coming off a draw against São Paulo and are confident heading into the match against the São Paulo-based team.

Ceará’s coach, Léo Condé, is expected to field a strong side despite having a Série A match this weekend. The probable lineup includes goalkeeper Fernando Miguel, defenders Fabiano Souza, Marllon, Willian Machado, and Matheus Bahia, midfielders Dieguinho, Fernando Sobral, and Lucas Mugni, with strikers Galeano, Pedro Henrique, and Pedro Raul.

On the other hand, Palmeiras is entering this Copa do Brasil match after a recent loss to Bahia in the Brazilian league, breaking their seven-game winning streak. However, the team has an impressive road record, remaining unbeaten in 16 away matches.

Coach Abel Ferreira will be looking to maintain their momentum as the Verdão tries to secure six consecutive away victories. Their selected lineup features Weverton in goal, with defenders Giay, Gustavo Gómez, Bruno Fuchs, and Piquerez, and a midfield including Emiliano Martínez, Richard Ríos, and Felipe Anderson, alongside forwards Estêvão, Paulinho, and Vitor Roque.

The match marks the fifth meeting between the two sides in this competition, with Palmeiras winning three times previously. Abounding with excitement, the teams look to make a significant impact, vying for their position in the tournament.

“We need to come out strong and compete once again,” Ferreira stated. “The goal remains the same: to rest as much as possible and make the best decisions on the field.”

The return match will occur on May 22 at Allianz Parque in São Paulo, promising to be equally thrilling.