Santos vs Fortaleza Match Preview

Santos is ranked at 12th place with 42 points and comes after two wins a draw and a two losses over the last five matches. It has been a season full of ups and downs for them but theιr chances for a ticket for the Copa Sudamericana are still alive if their performances in the remaining four games will be good enough.

With 30 goals scored so far, they have shown a decent offensive side and in the last five matches, they have scored a total of four goals. At home, they have done slightly better scoring 18 of their 30 goals and with what is at stake now they will be pretty motivated to do well once again.

Marinho, who is their best scorer with 6 goals - 1 assist, is expected to miss this duel, but still, they got players like Guilherme 5 goals - 2 assists and Sanchez 5 goals who can provide the quality upfront.
 
Fortaleza, on the other hand, is ranked in 5th place with 52 points and is seeing the direct ticket for Copa Libertadores slipping away as they got a single win a draw, and three losses over the last five matches. The positive thing is that their winless streak ended last time in a direct encounter against Palmeiras which was worthing double.

With 41 goals scored so far, they have one of the best offensive sides in the Brazilian league but in the last five matches, they have scored only two goals. Having higher morale after the recent win should be of help here. On the road, they have scored 18 goals in 17 matches this season averaging almost a goal per game.

For them, Robson has been having a great season with 10 goals - 1 assist, followed by Pikachu 8 goals - 5 assists and both should play here.

In conclusion, I think both teams can score at least a goal here. Santos has to bounce back after the last loss if they want to remain in the Copa Sudamericana zone considering there are teams below them even one game short. Playing at home, I fancy them to score a goal against a rival that failed to keep a clean sheet in four of the last five games. Fortaleza has shown a good offensive football this season and with four weeks left they got nothing to lose so will have to dare now.