Ceará vs. Santos FC Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, 6 October 2025

The upcoming Serie A clash between Ceará and Santos FC on 6 October 2025 is set to be an intriguing matchup. With Ceará currently sitting in 11th position and Santos FC occupying 16th, both teams have a lot at stake.

Ceará recently improved their standings with a victory over São Paulo, thanks to a decisive goal from Pedro Henrique. Under the guidance of coach Leo Conde, Ceará aims to capitalize on their home advantage and keep pushing through the mid-table clutter.

Santos FC, coached by Juan Pablo Vojvoda, have remained unbeaten in their last four matches. Despite the absence of star player Neymar due to injury, Santos showed grit and determination in their recent 2-2 draw against RB Bragantino.

Both teams have shown vulnerabilities in their defense but can also launch effective attacking plays. Given their recent form and the tendency for high-scoring games, the recommended bet is to go for over 2 goals.

Expect a spirited contest as both teams look to improve their positions in the league standings.

Ceará vs Santos FC Prediction & Betting Tip

Ceará versus Santos FC looks like a game where goals are likely, making Over 2 a reasonable call. Ceará at home usually play with high intensity, pushing forward and creating several chances, while their defense often leaves spaces. Santos also bring attacking quality, especially on transitions, and have been involved in matches with multiple goals recently. With both teams prone to defensive errors, this fixture has strong potential to produce at least two or more goals.

• Ceará often push forward aggressively, especially at home.
• Santos FC have been involved in high-scoring games and show attacking quality.
• Both teams’ defenses have been error-prone, increasing the likelihood of goals.

Ceará vs Santos FC Odds

This upcoming Serie A clash sees Ceará marginally favoured by the bookmakers. The odds are fairly close, suggesting a competitive match where either team could come out on top. Ceará’s home advantage and better league position are likely factors here.

These odds reflect Ceará’s slight edge given their recent home form and overall league positioning. However, with Santos FC showing a resilient streak in their recent games and still possessing the capability to trouble defenses despite Neymar’s absence, a draw or an away win also appears a plausible outcome. Keep an eye on how both teams set up tactically, as it could influence these close odds.

Ceará Team Analysis

Recent Performance:

• Recent Form: Ceará’s last five matches show a mix of results, losing to Vitória (1-0), winning against São Paulo (1-0), drawing with Bahia (1-1) and Vasco da Gama (2-2), and losing to Juventude (1-0).
• Average Goals Scored: Ceará has averaged 0.80 goals per game in their last five matches, showing they need to improve their offensive output.
• Clean Sheets: With only one clean sheet in their last five games, their defense has also shown some vulnerabilities.

Ceará’s recent performances indicate they’ve had a somewhat inconsistent run. They scored a vital win against São Paulo but struggled in other fixtures. Coach Leo Conde will focus on solidifying their defense and creating more offensive opportunities as they look to capitalize on their home advantage against Santos FC.

Ceará Key Players

Ceará will look to their key players to secure a positive result against Santos FC. Leading the charge is Pedro Raul, the team’s top scorer with 7 goals this season. His ability to find the back of the net will be crucial. He’ll be supported by Antonio Galeano and Pedro Henrique, who will add width and creativity from the wings.

In midfield, Richardson and Dieguinho are expected to provide stability and make key interceptions to break up Santos’ play. The partnership of Willian Machado and Marcos Victor in central defense will be vital in keeping Santos’ attackers at bay.

Expected lineup for Ceará:

• Goalkeeper: Bruno Ferreira
• Defenders: Fabiano, Marcos Victor, Willian Machado, Matheus Bahia
• Midfielders: Richardson, Dieguinho, Antonio Galeano, Lourenço, Pedro Henrique
• Center Forward: Pedro Raul

These players will need to perform at their best to ensure Ceará takes all three points at home.

Ceará Suspensions & Injuries

Ceará will be without several key players due to injuries. Luiz Otávio is recovering from knee surgery and is expected back in late October. Lucca and Fernandinho are both out due to illness and should return in about 1-2 weeks.

These absences could impact Ceará’s depth, particularly in defense and midfield. Luiz Otávio’s absence will be felt at the back, leaving a gap in central defense, while Lucca and Fernandinho’s absence reduces options in midfield. Coach Leo Conde will need to adjust his tactics and potentially rely on squad depth to fill these gaps.

On a positive note, there are no suspensions affecting Ceará’s lineup for this match, allowing them to field a strong team otherwise.

Ceará Tactics and Formation

Ceará Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Key Forward: Pedro Raul
• Midfield Trio: Richardson, Dieguinho, Lourenço
• Defensive Strength: Although they have only kept one clean sheet in the last five matches, Ceará often push high up the pitch, putting pressure on the opposition.
• Notable Strategy: Ceará tends to score most of their goals in the 46-60 minute interval, often coming out strong after halftime.

Ceará will likely rely on their tried and tested 4-2-3-1 formation. Coach Leo Conde will aim to exploit Santos’ vulnerabilities by pushing forward with intensity. The center-forward, Pedro Raul, will lead the attack, supported by offensive midfielders Lourenço and Pedro Henrique. Defensive midfielders Richardson and Dieguinho will be crucial for breaking up Santos’ play and initiating quick counter-attacks.

Santos FC Team Analysis

Recent Performance:

• Recent Form: Santos FC has drawn their last two matches against Grêmio (1-1) and Red Bull Bragantino (2-2), secured a win against São Paulo (1-0), and had two prior draws against Atlético MG (1-1) and Fluminense (0-0).
• Average Goals Scored: Santos FC averaged 1 goal per game in their last five matches, showing a steady but not overwhelming offensive presence.
• Clean Sheets: With two clean sheets in their last five games, Santos FC has shown some defensive solidity.

Santos FC has remained unbeaten in their last five games, demonstrating resilience and improved performance even in Neymar’s absence. Coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda has managed to keep the team competitive, ensuring they stay afloat in the league standings. The team will look to capitalize on this stable form and aim for more than a draw against Ceará.

Santos FC Key Players

Santos FC will be looking to key players to carry them through this crucial match against Ceará. Alvaro Barreal leads the scoring chart for Santos with 6 goals and will be pivotal in their attacking plays. Alongside him, Lautaro Diaz and Guilherme Augusto will be essential for linking up play and creating scoring opportunities.

In midfield, Ze Rafael and Joao Schmidt are expected to control the tempo and make vital interceptions. Their stability in the center of the park will be key to nullifying Ceará’s attacking threats.

Expected lineup for Santos FC:

• Goalkeeper: Gabriel Brazão
• Defenders: Mayke, Alexis Duarte, Luan Peres, Gonzalo Escobar
• Midfielders: Alvaro Barreal, Ze Rafael, Joao Schmidt, Benjamin Rollheiser
• Forwards: Guilherme Augusto, Lautaro Diaz

These players will need to be at their best to secure valuable points and uplift their league standing.

Santos FC Suspensions & Injuries

Santos FC will be missing several key players for this match against Ceará due to injuries. Neymar Jr remains sidelined with a thigh injury and is not expected to return until late October. His absence has been significant, but the team has shown it can cope without him.

Additionally, Gabriel Bontempo and Victor Hugo are also out with thigh injuries, though they are slated for earlier returns. Bontempo might be back within a week, while Victor Hugo is targeting mid-October for his comeback.

These injuries could impact the team’s depth, especially in attacking options and central defense. Coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda will need to rely on the squad’s resilience and tactical versatility to fill these gaps. However, there are no suspensions affecting Santos FC for this match.

Santos FC Tactics and Formation

Santos FC Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Key Forward: Lautaro Diaz
• Midfield Core: Ze Rafael, Joao Schmidt, Benjamin Rollheiser
• Defensive Strength: With two clean sheets in their last five games, Santos FC have shown they can be solid at the back when needed.
• Notable Strategy: Santos often score most of their goals in the 76-90 minute interval, reflecting their strength in late-game play.

Santos FC will likely stick to their favored 4-2-3-1 formation. Coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda will focus on their transitional play to exploit Ceará’s defensive errors. Lautaro Diaz will spearhead the attack, supported by the creative midfield trio of Ze Rafael, Joao Schmidt, and Benjamin Rollheiser. Santos FC’s defensive line will aim to remain compact, utilizing their recent form to stymie Ceará’s offensive efforts and capitalize on counter-attacks in the closing stages of the match.

Ceará vs Santos FC Head-to-Head Statistics

The head-to-head history between Ceará and Santos FC reveals an evenly matched record, adding an extra layer of intrigue to this clash:

• 2025-05-12: Santos FC 0 – 0 Ceará (Serie A)
• 2024-10-22: Santos FC 1 – 0 Ceará (Serie B)
• 2024-07-05: Ceará 0 – 1 Santos FC (Serie B)
• 2022-09-10: Ceará 2 – 1 Santos FC (Serie A)
• 2022-05-21: Santos FC 0 – 0 Ceará (Serie A)

From these encounters, it’s clear that matches between these teams tend to be tightly contested. Notably, the last encounter ended in a goalless draw, highlighting both sides’ defensive discipline.

Given this recent record, fans can anticipate another tough, closely fought match. Both teams will need to bring their A-game to secure vital points and improve their standings in the league. The previous encounters suggest a potential for lower-scoring fixtures, though both teams will be eager to break the trend with a proactive approach.

Odds accurate as of 04/10/2025 00:31, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.