Ceará vs Palmeiras Prediction, Match Preview, Sunday, 7 December

Ceará vs Palmeiras Prediction, Match Preview sets the stage for an intriguing clash in the Brazilian Série A on Sunday, 7 December. As the season draws to a close, both teams will be eager to secure valuable points. Ceará, playing at home, will look to leverage their familiarity with the conditions to challenge a strong Palmeiras side. Despite the absence of a specified venue, the home advantage could play a crucial role for Ceará.

Palmeiras, known for their consistent performances in Série A, will aim to assert their dominance and maintain their position in the league standings. This match is significant as both teams have different objectives; Ceará are likely fighting to climb the table, while Palmeiras may be looking to consolidate their standing among the top teams. The outcome of this encounter could have lasting implications for both sides as they navigate the final stages of the season.

Ceará vs Palmeiras Prediction & Betting Tip

Betting Tip	Odds
Palmeiras Double Chance (Win or Draw)	1.35

Given the statistical edge and overall superior quality of Palmeiras, our recommended betting tip is to go for the Double Chance market, specifically Palmeiras to Win or Draw. Despite some key absences, Palmeiras have shown consistent form and resilience throughout the season, making them less likely to lose.

• Palmeiras have won 12 of their last 21 head-to-head meetings with Ceará, showing historical dominance.
• Ceará have only managed one win in their last five matches, indicating poor current form.
• Palmeiras concede on average just 0.9 goals per game this season, demonstrating their strong defensive capabilities.

Betting Odds

Ceará are stepping into this match as the slight favourites, with odds of 2.3, while Palmeiras are priced at 3.12. The draw is also an enticing option at 3.13, indicating a closely contested affair in this Série A showdown.

Betting Tip	Odds
Ceará to win	2.3
Draw	3.13
Palmeiras to win	3.12

Given the competitive nature of both teams, punters might find value in the over 2.5 goals market, especially considering the attacking prowess on display. Keep an eye on the both teams to score market as well, as it could offer decent returns.

Ceará Analysis & Past Performance

Ceará’s recent form has been underwhelming, with only one win in their last five matches. Their most recent outing ended in a narrow 0-1 defeat against Flamengo at the Estádio do Maracanã. This result highlights their struggles on the road, with the team managing just 31% possession and only one shot on target compared to Flamengo’s 15 attempts.

Home Team	Away Team	Result	Competition	Date
Flamengo	Ceará	1 – 0 (Loss)	Série A	4 Dec 2025
Ceará	Cruzeiro	1 – 1 (Draw)	Série A	30 Nov 2025
Mirassol	Ceará	3 – 0 (Loss)	Série A	24 Nov 2025
Ceará	Internacional	1 – 2 (Loss)	Série A	21 Nov 2025
Corinthians	Ceará	0 – 1 (Win)	Série A	9 Nov 2025

Recent Form:
Ceará have averaged 0.60 goals per game in their last five matches, scoring in three of those fixtures. However, their defensive frailties are evident, with an average of 1.40 goals conceded per game and only one clean sheet during this period. Their home performances have been slightly better, with a win ratio of 20% at home compared to 20% overall, but they still face difficulties in turning draws into victories, as seen in their recent 1-1 home draw against Cruzeiro.

Their overall season statistics reveal Ceará in 15th position, with 43 points from 37 matches, reflecting a win ratio of 30%. Despite their mid-bottom standing, Pedro Raul has been a standout player, contributing 10 goals this season. The team’s tactical approach will need to tighten defensively and increase attacking output if they are to improve their current form further.

• LDLLW

Ceará Suspensions & Injuries

Ceará face a challenging situation with the absence of key defender Luiz Otávio, who is sidelined due to knee surgery. His expected return in mid-December means that Ceará will need to adjust their defensive line-up significantly. Luiz Otávio’s leadership and defensive prowess will be sorely missed, and this could leave gaps in their backline, potentially exploited by Palmeiras’ attacking force.

Pedro Henrique’s muscle injury, with an expected return in about 1-2 weeks, further complicates Ceará’s defensive setup. The team will likely rely on Marcos Victor to step up in central defence, but the lack of depth could pose a problem if Palmeiras apply consistent pressure. Without these key players, Ceará might adopt a more conservative approach to safeguard their vulnerable defence.

Player	Injury	Expected Return
Luiz Otávio	Knee surgery	Mid December 2025
Pedro Henrique	Muscle injury	About 1-2 weeks

The absence of these players is likely to impact Ceará’s betting odds, as their defensive vulnerabilities could make them less favoured against a strong Palmeiras side. The tactical adjustments needed to cover for these injuries may also affect their overall team cohesion and performance.

Ceará Key Players

Ceará’s attack will be spearheaded by Pedro Raul, the team’s top scorer with 10 goals this season. Known for his clinical finishing and aerial prowess, Raul is a constant threat in the penalty area and will be pivotal in breaking down Palmeiras’ defence. His ability to hold up play and bring teammates into the game is crucial for Ceará’s attacking strategy.

In midfield, Lucas Mugni stands out as a key playmaker. His vision and passing accuracy allow him to dictate the tempo of the game, connecting the defence and attack seamlessly. Alongside Mugni, Dieguinho’s energy and tenacity in midfield battles provide balance, making them a formidable duo.

Expected lineup for Ceará

• Goalkeeper: Bruno Ferreira
• Defence: Fabiano, Marcos Victor, Willian Machado, Matheus Bahia
• Midfield: Vinicius Zanocelo, Dieguinho, Lucas Mugni
• Forward: Antonio Galeano, Fernandinho, Pedro Raul

Defensively, Ceará will rely on the experienced Willian Machado and Marcos Victor at the heart of their defence. Their solid partnership is essential in organising the backline and providing a foundation for the team. With Fabiano and Matheus Bahia as full-backs, they offer width and support in both defensive and attacking phases, contributing to Ceará’s tactical flexibility.

Ceará Tactics and Formation

Ceará Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Key Forward: Pedro Raul
• Midfield Pivot: Fernando Sobral and Vinicius Zanocelo
• Defensive Strength: Struggled defensively with only one clean sheet in the last five games.
• Notable Strategy: Focus on structured defensive play with sporadic counterattacks.

Ceará’s tactical approach under coach Léo Condé often revolves around a 4-2-3-1 formation, which aims to provide a balanced structure between defence and attack. The midfield pairing of Fernando Sobral and Vinicius Zanocelo is pivotal in maintaining possession and providing defensive cover.

Defensively, Ceará have faced challenges, conceding in four of their last five matches. The backline, including Fabiano Silva and Rafael Ramos, needs to tighten up to improve their clean sheet record. However, their defensive organisation allows them to absorb pressure and hit on the counterattack.

Offensively, Pedro Raul, as the lone striker, remains crucial, having scored 10 goals this season. His ability to hold up play and bring others into the game is vital, especially when supported by the likes of Dieguinho and Antonio Galeano in the attacking midfield roles.

Palmeiras Analysis & Past Performance

Palmeiras have experienced a mixed bag of results in their recent outings, standing 2nd in Série A with 73 points. Their last five matches reflect somewhat inconsistent form, including a notable 3-0 away victory against Atlético MG. However, they faced defeats against Flamengo and Grêmio, while also recording two goalless draws against Fluminense and Vitória.

Home Team	Away Team	Result	Competition	Date
Atlético MG	Palmeiras	0 – 3 (Win)	Série A	4 Dec 2025
Palmeiras	Flamengo	0 – 1 (Loss)	Copa Libertadores Final Stage	29 Nov 2025
Grêmio	Palmeiras	3 – 2 (Loss)	Série A	26 Nov 2025
Palmeiras	Fluminense	0 – 0 (Draw)	Série A	23 Nov 2025
Palmeiras	Vitória	0 – 0 (Draw)	Série A	19 Nov 2025

Recent Form:
In their last five games, Palmeiras have won once, drawn twice, and lost twice, scoring an average of 1.00 goal per match and conceding 0.80. Their defensive efforts have yielded 3 clean sheets, indicating a strong backline despite the mixed results. Away from home, they have secured 2 wins out of 5 matches, maintaining a 40% win ratio.

Performance Statistics:

• WLLDD

Offensively, Palmeiras have shown potential with a total of 5 goals in their last five fixtures, though they have failed to score in 3 of those matches. Their top scorer, Vitor Roque, has been instrumental with 16 goals this season. Defensively, the team has exhibited solidity, with a goals conceded average of just 0.86 over the season, underscoring their capability to maintain a strong defensive record.

Palmeiras Suspensions & Injuries

Palmeiras face significant challenges with several key players unavailable due to injuries and suspensions. The absence of Raphael Veiga, due to a suspension for accumulated yellow cards, will be a substantial blow to their midfield creativity. Joaquín Piquerez’s suspension following a red card leaves a gap in the defensive line, necessitating a reshuffle in the back four. These suspensions force coach Abel Ferreira to rethink his tactical setup, potentially opting for a more conservative approach to compensate for the missing personnel.

Player	Suspension	Matches Remaining	Expected Return
Raphael Veiga	Yellow cards	1	Unknown
Joaquín Piquerez	Red card	1	Unknown

Injuries further complicate Palmeiras’ preparations, with Weverton and Felipe Anderson sidelined with a broken hand and a sprained ankle, respectively. Although Weverton is expected to return soon, his absence means Carlos Miguel is likely to continue as the starting goalkeeper. The loss of Felipe Anderson could impact Palmeiras’ attacking options, although their squad depth offers some hope in mitigating this setback.

Player	Injury	Expected Return
Figueiredo	Cruciate ligament injury	Out for season
Paulinho	Shin injury	Out for season
Lucas Evangelista	Thigh injury	Out for season
Weverton	Broken hand	About a week
Felipe Anderson	Sprained ankle	About 1-2 weeks

The absence of players like Figueiredo, Paulinho, and Lucas Evangelista for the season reduces the team’s depth, particularly in midfield and defence. These long-term injuries limit Palmeiras’ rotational options, potentially affecting their performance in the latter stages of the league. However, the team’s ability to draw on its squad depth could still provide enough resilience to maintain competitive form despite these challenges.

Palmeiras Key Players

Palmeiras’ attacking prowess is spearheaded by Vitor Roque, the team’s top scorer with 16 goals this season. Roque’s clinical finishing and sharp movement in the final third make him a constant threat to defences. His ability to find space and exploit defensive weaknesses will be crucial against Ceará. Complementing Roque in attack is José Manuel López, whose physicality and aerial ability add another dimension to Palmeiras’ offensive play.

In midfield, Andreas Pereira’s vision and passing range are vital for transitioning the play and maintaining possession. His partnership with Emiliano Martínez provides a balance of creativity and defensive stability, which is key for controlling the tempo of the game. Defensively, Gustavo Gómez leads the backline with his commanding presence and leadership, ensuring organisation and resilience against Ceará’s forwards.

Expected lineup for Palmeiras:

• Goalkeeper: Carlos Miguel
• Defenders: Khellven, Gustavo Gómez, Murilo Cerqueira, Jefte
• Midfielders: Emiliano Martínez, Andreas Pereira, Allan, Ramón Sosa
• Forwards: Vitor Roque, José Manuel López

Palmeiras Tactics and Formation

Palmeiras Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: Likely 4-2-3-1
• Key Forward: José Manuel López
• Midfield Pivot: Emiliano Martínez and Andreas Pereira
• Defensive Strength: Three clean sheets in the last five games
• Notable Strategy: Strong defensive organisation and effective use of wide areas.

Palmeiras, under the guidance of Abel Ferreira, typically set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, which provides a balanced approach to both defence and attack. The midfield pivot of Emiliano Martínez and Andreas Pereira is crucial in maintaining possession and providing defensive cover, allowing the full-backs Khellven and Joaquín Piquerez to join attacks.

Defensively, Palmeiras have shown resilience, achieving three clean sheets in their last five matches. The central defensive partnership of Gustavo Gómez and Murilo Cerqueira is pivotal, offering aerial strength and composure under pressure.

Offensively, the team leverages the creativity of Raphael Veiga and the pace of Vitor Roque to break down defences. José Manuel López, as the key forward, benefits from the service provided by the attacking midfield trio, and the team’s ability to exploit wide areas often results in dangerous crosses into the box.

Ceará vs Palmeiras Head-to-Head Record

In their head-to-head record, Palmeiras have been dominant with 12 wins out of 21 encounters, while Ceará have managed 4 victories and there have been 5 draws. The last meeting saw Palmeiras edge out a 2-1 win at home in Série A, continuing their strong form against Ceará.

The last time Ceará hosted Palmeiras in Série A was back in July 2022, where Palmeiras secured a 2-1 victory. Ceará have struggled to make their home advantage count in recent matchups, with Palmeiras consistently finding ways to win.

Home Team	Away Team	Score	Competition	Date
Palmeiras	Ceará	2 – 1	Série A	2025-08-10
Palmeiras	Ceará	3 – 0	Cup	2025-05-22
Ceará	Palmeiras	0 – 1	Cup	2025-04-30
Ceará	Palmeiras	1 – 2	Série A	2022-07-30
Palmeiras	Ceará	2 – 3	Série A	2022-04-10