Fortaleza vs Fluminense Prediction: Team News and Lineups Preview

Sit back and relax on Sunday evening with a full schedule of Brasileirão action. Our South American expert Nathan Joyes delivers his Fortaleza vs Fluminense prediction, team news, lineups and fixtures preview. 

Copa Libertadores champions Fluminense are bottom of the league, and as a result Fernando Diniz has been fired. Mano Menezes has been appointed for the rescue mission, but a tough trip to Fortaleza won’t be easy for the new head coach.

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• Fortaleza vs Fluminense Tip 1: Fortaleza to win
• Fortaleza vs Fluminense Tip 2: Juan Lucero to score anytime
• Fortaleza vs Fluminense Tip 3: BTTS No

Fortaleza vs Fluminense Prediction 1: Flu to struggle

Brazil, Brasileirão, Sunday, July 7th, 20:00 (UK)

Not many would have anticipated quite the fall from grace that Fluminense are currently experiencing. Having won the Copa Libertadores title for the first time in their history in November, they now sit bottom of the Brasileirao with just six points from 13 matches.

Diniz’s ageing squad couldn’t keep up with his demanding style of football and with Andre out injured, he struggled to find any kind of rhythm with his team. As a result, the board finally pulled the trigger and Mano Menezes was brought in.

A far more conservative manager, many are hesitant about Menezes. From fluid football to the complete opposite, there will be an adjustment period – even if Fluminense don’t have the time.

Fortaleza, on the other hand, have been quietly going about their business. At home, you can’t fault their form. Collecting 15 points from seven matches, as well as scoring ten and conceding just four, Castelao has become quite the fortress.

Winning their last six matches at home whilst only conceding one should see them finish off Fluminense, who have lost their last six matches (they play Internacional at home on 5th July).

• Fortaleza vs Fluminense Prediction 1: Fortaleza to win (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 1.80
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 7/10

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Fortaleza vs Fluminense Prediction 2: Striker on fire

Juan Lucero has been in fantastic form for Fortaleza this campaign, scoring five goals in his 11 Brasileirao appearances. The 32-year-old has also scored six goals in five Copa Sudamericana performances, as well as two in the Copa do Brasil.

His ability in one-v-one situations has been one of the best in the league. Able to shift the ball from one foot to the other, Lucero has shown he’s capable of scoring with his left and right.

Lucero’s recent brace against Palmeiras in Fortaleza’s 3-0 win over Palmeiras was a prime example of his talent. His first was rifled into the roof of the net on his left foot when getting the better of Murilo, before hitting a first time strike from outside the box with his right in the second half.

As Fortaleza’s dedicated penalty taker, Lucero has multiple opportunities to fire against Fluminense, and against an ageing, slow defence, he should add a sixth to his name in front of their home crowd.

• Fortaleza vs Fluminense Prediction 2: Juan Lucero to score anytime
• Best Odds: 3.0
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 7/10

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Fortaleza vs Fluminense Prediction 3: Hosts to stand firm

It will be interesting to see if there is a “new manager bounce” with Menezes’ first few matches, but the way Fluminense players reacted to Diniz’s departure might indicate it’ll take time to win them over.

Many were really disappointed to see him go, while key members of the team were in floods of tears when the news broke. Diniz may have failed on the pitch this season, but his man management skills were what led him so far last campaign.

As mentioned, Fortaleza are one of the best teams at home this season, and they won’t have any sympathy for Fluminense and their current situation. 

German Cano isn’t scoring, while it’ll be interesting to see if the new head coach puts faith in John Kennedy to lead the line. But with Jhon Arias still at Copa America, Flu don’t have their pace on the wing and as a result, Fortaleza are expected to keep them at bay.

• Fortaleza vs Fluminense Prediction 3: BTTS No
• Best Odds: 1.70
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 7/10

Fortaleza vs Fluminense Prediction odds via bet365 as at 10:00, July 4th, 2024. Odds may now differ.

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Fortaleza vs Fluminense Possible Lineups:

Fortaleza possible starting lineup:
Ricardo; Jonatan, Titi, Britez, Tinga, Pochettino, Lucas Sasha, Pacheco, Lopes, Lucero, Pikachu

Fluminense possible starting lineup:
  Fabio; Marcelo, Marlon, Melo, Xavier, Pires, Martinelli, Santos, Keno, Terans, Cano

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Match Stats: Double Figured Juan

• Fortaleza has won their last five matches, keeping four clean sheets in the process.
• Juan Lucero has already hit double figures in 2024 and scored in his last home match vs Juventude.
• Fernando Diniz was sacked after leaving Fluminense bottom and losing their last six matches in a row.

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Fortaleza Fixtures

• Vs Juventude (H)
• Vs Fortaleza (A)
• Vs Corinthians (H)
• Vs Gremio (A)
• Vs Bahia (H)

Fluminense Fixtures

• Vs Sao Bento (H)
• Vs Vitora (H)
• Vs Botafogo (A)
• Vs Rio Branco (A)
• Vs Cuiabá (A)

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