Ceará-Santos: All set for the first of two encounters to decide this Copa do Brasil 8th Finals game

It’s busy days for these teams as both were in action only a few days ago. There’s no rest for the wicked, or in this case; no rest for Ceará and Santos.

It's quite the trip for Santos when visiting Ceará as the cities are 3100 kilometers apart.

Ceará form and stats

Ceará was eliminated in the 3rd round last season in the Copa do Brasil. Corinthians was too strong.

Ceará have played 9 Serie A games at their own stadium so far this season, resulting in 5-2-2 (wins-draws-losses). On the other hand, in the Copa do Brasil, Ceará has performed like this (both home and away): 5 wins, 2 draws and 0 losses. Hopes of three in a row are alive for Ceará after consecutive victories at their own ground.

Ceará shared the glory with Botafogo in their last match, an away game that ended all square 2-2. 0-0 away at Santos before that.

The hometeam coach A. Ferreira made a successful contribution in the game against Botafogo, bringing on Leandro Carvalho who scored the equalizer in the 2-2 draw.

This is expected to be a close game, with Ceará perhaps considered small favourites due to their home advantage. Looking back at earlier matches similar to this one (expected to be close with Ceará as a small favourite), we find 13 games. Ceará has won four of these, drawn five and lost four.

The match schedule is unforgiving for Ceará as they have a new game in only four days, a Serie A match thankfully also at home. Sport Recife are visiting.

Ceará are certainly not overdoing their scoring at home in league matches, having created 12 goals in 9 games. It's been trouble in front of goal recently, as only -1 of these goals has been scored in their last three home matches. Ceará have conceded 9 in these home matches. There's been improvement defensively lately, as only -1 of these goals has been conceded in their last 3 home matches.

Santos form and stats

They also participated in Copa do Brasil last season. This ended in the 8th finals.

4 wins, 2 draws and 3 losses. That’s the product of Santos playing as the away team in the Serie A this season.

Santos go into this game after a win, the home game against Bahia that ended 3-1. A draw for Santos before that, at their own venue hosting Ceará (0-0).

So, this is expected to be a close game, an even contest. Looking at earlier matches with Santos playing away and similar expectations, we found twelve relevant matches. Results were four Santos wins, four draws and four defeats.

The schedule is very tough for Santos now as they have to travel again shortly after this match. A Serie A game at Bragantino is waiting in only four days.

Santos find the net regularly in their away games. 10 goals from 9 away fixtures in the league. It's been trouble in front of goal recently, as only -1 of these goals has been scored in their last three away matches. As opposed to that, Santos have seen the ball go into their own net 11 times on the road. There's been improvement defensively lately, as only -1 of these goals has been conceded in their last 3 away matches.

Head 2 Head

Ceará and Santos have met before this season: Santos - Ceará 0-0. Head-to-head totals (for the last ten meetings): Ceará won one game, three matches ended with a draw and Santos has six wins. Over 2,5 goals / under 2,5 goals: three / seven

Top Goalscorers

M. Santos Costa 12 goals

V. Goes Barbosa de Souza 6 goals

C. Bomfim de Jesus 4 goals

Ceará missing players

Santos missing players