FORTALEZA, Brazil (Interstat) — The fierce Ceará derby takes center stage in the Carioca Série A on Thursday as Ceará SC hosts rival Fortaleza at Castelão.

Ceará SC (10-13-8) enters the match with momentum, coming off a 2-0 victory over Fluminense on Sunday. Fortaleza (6-13-6), meanwhile, is looking to rebound from a 1-1 draw with Santos.

The home side holds a slight edge in the league table and won the most recent head-to-head encounter 1-0 on July 13. Fortaleza’s form has been inconsistent, with just two wins in its last 10 matches across all competitions. Ceará SC has also struggled for consistency but boasts a recent win against a top side in São Paulo.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, the match is projected to end in a 1-1 draw, a result that would extend Ceará SC’s unbeaten run in the derby.

Following Thursday’s clash, Fortaleza will host Grêmio on Nov. 9, while Ceará SC will travel to face Paulista.