RECIFE, Brazil (Interstat) — A pair of Brazilian clubs seeking momentum will clash Sunday when Sport Recife hosts EC Vitoria in a Carioca Série A fixture at Ilha do Retiro Stadium.

The matchup arrives after both sides endured difficult recent results. Sport Recife (10-3-7) is looking to rebound from a 3-2 away loss to Botafogo on Tuesday, a defeat that followed a 5-1 home loss to Flamengo last Saturday. Their defense has been a concern, conceding 11 goals in their last three matches across all competitions.

EC Vitoria (10-5-5) enters following a scoreless draw against powerhouse Palmeiras on Wednesday. That result highlighted a recent trend for the club: Vitoria has been involved in three consecutive draws, including a 2-2 result against this same Sport Recife side in July. Their form has been inconsistent, with a record of 2-3-5 in their last 10 outings.

The last head-to-head meeting suggests another tight contest. The teams played to a 2-2 draw in July, and the Interstat game simulator projects a narrow 1-0 victory for the home side.

Vitoria will aim to capitalize on a leaky Sport Recife defense, while the hosts will look to their home pitch for an advantage after a brutal stretch of games. The result could provide a crucial spark for either club’s campaign as the season progresses.