Fortaleza will welcome Colo-Colo to the Arena Castelao on matchday four of the Copa Libertadores group stage, seeking a crucial victory that could lift them into the top two of Group E.
The reverse fixture was overshadowed by chaotic scenes at the Estadio Monumental David Arellano, where Colo-Colo supporters invaded the pitch midway through the second half, resulting in match being subsequently abandoned and Fortaleza awarded a 3-0 win by Conmebol, marking their first points of the campaign.
Match preview
This is just Fortaleza’s third appearance in the Copa Libertadores and only their second venture into the group stage, and the Brazilian side endured a difficult start this season, with a 3-0 defeat at home to Racing Club but were handed a lifeline after the controversial events in Santiago.
In their third outing, Fortaleza looked on course for another three points after taking a 19th-minute lead away to Atletico Bucaramanga, but a late penalty in the 89th minute denied them victory and left them with a frustrating 1-1 draw.
Now preparing to face Colo-Colo for the fourth time in their history, Leao do Pici will be hoping to finally assert home advantage in a fixture that has historically favoured the away side, with each of the previous three encounters between these two sides has ended in an away win.
However, the hosts come into this clash in a worrying run of form, having failed to win in their last seven matches across all competitions, drawing the last four, a run that has left them languishing in 15th place in the Brazilian Serie A, with just seven points from their opening seven matches.
The first leg of this tie was marred by tragedy, as two fans lost their lives after being struck by a tear gas vehicle deployed by authorities during crowd control operations, chaos that culminated in supporters storming the pitch, prompting the match to be called off and later awarded to Fortaleza.
For Colo-Colo, it is an opportunity to avenge the defeat and turn around an underwhelming campaign, as the 1991 champions of this competition have collected just two points from their opening three games, leaving them bottom of Group E and with work to do if they are to avoid another early exit.
The Chilean giants have failed to progress beyond the group stage in 10 of their last 13 Libertadores appearances, a poor run for a team of their stature.
Domestic form has also offered little respite, as El Cacique currently sit 10th in the Chilean Primera Division, and head coach Jorge Almiron is under growing pressure in his second season at the helm despite winning the league title last term.
Colo-Colo have tasted victory only once in their last seven outings across all competitions, drawing four and losing two during that spell, and the poor form has left fans questioning the direction of the club as they travel to Brazil needing a result to revive their hopes of progression.
Team News
Fortaleza are dealing with a number of injury concerns ahead of Tuesday’s fixture, with Diogo Barbosa and Emanuel Britez both sidelined with sprained ankle injuries.
Moises Vieira is unavailable due to a thigh problem, while Pedro Augusto remains out with a groin issue, and Tinga continues to recover from an ankle injury sustained earlier in the season.
There is also concern over Gustavo Mancha, who was forced off with an injury during the recent draw against Sao Paulo, and the defender remains a doubt.
Colo-Colo have fewer issues to contend with but will be without Alexander Oroz, who is expected to miss the next few weeks due to physical discomfort.
The Chilean forward’s absence limits Almiron’s attacking options as his side aim to get their campaign back on track.
Fortaleza possible starting lineup:
Ricardo; Mancuso, Mancha, Kuscevic, Pacheco; Martinez, Rossetto, Sasha; Pikachu, Lucero, Lopes
Colo-Colo possible starting lineup:
Cortes; Opazo, Vegas, Saldivia, Wiemberg; Cepeda, Pizarro, Pavez, Zavala; Correa, Rodrigues
We say: Fortaleza 1-1 Colo-Colo
Both sides come into the match struggling for form, with Fortaleza winless in seven and Colo-Colo managing just one win in their last seven outings.
Neither team has shown enough consistency or cutting edge to suggest a clear winner, which is why we are predicting a hard-fought draw.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
