Estadio Governador Placido Aderaldo Castelo is set to host a six-pointer in the Brasileiro's race for CONMEBOL Libertadores qualification when Ceara welcome Atletico Mineiro on Sunday.

Vozao will be looking to bounce back from their loss last time out, while Galo have a chance to make it seven games unbeaten this weekend.

Match preview

Leo Conde's Ceara won the Cearense title after a strong end to their campaign earlier this year, and though they have been in mixed form overall, they have performed commendably after their promotion from Serie B to the Brasileiro Serie A.

That being said, Vozao were eliminated from the Copa do Brasil last weekend by fellow top-flight club Palmeiras, losing 3-0 on the road to three second-half goals.

Prior to that game, Conde's side beat bottom-of-the-table Sport Recife 2-0 on May 17, a result that has them seventh in the table with 15 points ahead of this clash, two points short of sixth-placed Fluminense and three behind fifth-placed Bahia, who occupy the Libertadores spots.

Hoping to make the top six this weekend, the hosts will draw confidence from the fact that they have lost just once on their own turf across all competitions since August last year, and with two home wins - and two clean sheets - on the bounce going into the match, fans will be expecting a positive result.

Should Ceara make it five wins from their opening 10 games of the campaign, then they could go into Thursday's match against Botafogo in fifth, just two away from fourth-placed Cruzeiro and three behind third-placed Flamengo.

Meanwhile, Cuca's Atletico Mineiro are on a six-game unbeaten run ahead of this weekend, but with three draws in that stretch and back-to-back stalemates in the Brasileiro, they will be looking to get back to winning ways.

Notably, Galo were in action less than 72 hours prior to this clash when they followed up their 0-0 draw against Corinthians by playing out a 1-1 tie against Cienciano in the CONMEBOL Sudamericana.

The point they earned in the league saw Cuca's men drop down to 10th in the top flight, where their tally of 14 has them one behind their opponents and three away from the Libertadores places.

With the top six in reach this weekend, the visitors will be concerned not only with their habit of drawing matches but also their disappointing away record that features just one win from their last 10 games on the road, a period that goes back more than three months.

However, Atletico-MG have only lost one of their last six on their travels, and if they can take maximum points on Sunday, then they could leapfrog their hosts and climb up to sixth, though defeat would be enough to see them fall all the way down to 14th depending on results elsewhere.

Team News

Ceara boss Conde has a generally fit squad to choose from, so expect to see Pedro Raul start up top, supported by Pedro Henrique and Antonio Galeano out wide, as well as Lucas Mugni from an attacking midfield position.

Fernando Sobral and Dieguinho will be aiming to provide some stability for the forwards from the centre of the park, while Marllon and Willian Machado operate at the heart of defence, with full-backs Rafael Ramos and Matheus Bahia either side of them.

As for Atletico Mineiro, versatile flank-man Tomas Cuello is a doubt for this weekend due to a hamstring issue, as is left-back Guilherme Arana, who has not featured since May 19's draw against Cruzeiro.

Elsewhere, long-term absentee striker Cadu will not take part as he works his way back from a knee injury that has kept him out since October last year.

In his absence, veteran Hulk, who produced an assist against Cienciano, should start up front alongside Rony on Sunday, with wing-backs Natanael and Rubens providing width.

Ceara possible starting lineup:

Miguel; Ramos, Marllon, Machado, Bahia; Sobral, Dieguinho; Galeano, Mugni, Henrique; Raul

Atletico Mineiro possible starting lineup:

Everson; Lyanco, Franco, Alonso; Patrick; Natanael, Scarpa, Gomes, Rubens; Hulk, Rony