**Ceará's home form is clicking at the right time**, and they've got the h2h edge against a **Criciúma side spinning between hot and ice-cold**. 🔥 This is the kind of matchup where consistency should win out — and Ceará's looking more solid lately.

Ceará are on a two-win stretch with draws mixed in; Criciúma have dropped three of their last five, including a shocker at home to Operário-PR. The visitors can score (3-0 blowout of Avaí) but leak goals just as fast.

Key storylines:

- **Ceará's midfield** anchored by J. Gabriel and Melk will need to control tempo and limit Criciúma's creative outlets upfront

- **Criciúma's Diego Gonçalves and Waguininho** carry the attacking load, but recent form suggests the backline under M. Hermes and R. Fagundes stays vulnerable

- Home advantage at Estádio Governador Plácido Castelo has treated **Ceará** well; Criciúma are 3 losses in 5 away from momentum

Expected lineups:

- **Ceará**: Richard, Sánchez, L. Otávio, Júlio César, B. Borges, J. Gabriel, Melk, N. Ferreira, M. Araújo, E. Lodovico, L. Holanda

- **Criciúma**: Airton, M. Hermes, R. Fagundes, C. Martins, W. Lepo, G. Lobo, Ronald, F. Mateus, Diego Gonçalves, Waguininho, R. Otero

Prediction:

**Ceará 2–1 Criciúma**. Home form and h2h history point to the hosts — slight favorite. 🎯