In an exciting matchup for the fourth round of the Brasileirão Série A, Ceará will host Vasco da Gama on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at 21h30 (Brasília time) at the Arena Castelão in Fortaleza. This encounter promises to be a thrilling contest as both teams aim to solidify their positions in the league standings.
Ceará, currently sitting in eighth place with four points, is coming off a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Juventude. Despite this setback, the team remains a formidable opponent, especially at home, where they are undefeated this season. The Vozão will be looking to their key player, Pedro Raul, who has made a significant impact since joining the team on loan from Corinthians. Raul has scored seven goals in nine appearances for Ceará, including two in the current Brasileirão campaign.
On the other hand, Vasco da Gama is in fourth place with six points, just one point behind league leaders Flamengo and Palmeiras. Under the leadership of coach Fábio Carille, Vasco is coming off a strong performance, having defeated Sport 3-1 in their last match. Carille has guided the team to three victories in their last five outings, and they will aim to continue this momentum against Ceará.
As the teams prepare for battle, the spotlight will be on Pedro Raul, who had a challenging stint with Vasco in 2023 before moving to Toluca in Mexico. Raul's time at Vasco was marked by a promising start, where he scored seven goals in ten matches, but his form dipped after a missed penalty in the Copa do Brasil, leading to his departure from the club. Now, he has a chance to showcase his talent against his former team.
Vasco's lineup for the match will see some changes due to injuries and personal issues affecting key players. Philippe Coutinho will be rested, while Maurício Lemos and Lucas Oliveira are sidelined with injuries. Tchê Tchê and Puma Rodríguez will also miss the match for personal reasons. In their place, Carille is expected to field Léo Jardim in goal, supported by a defense of Paulo Henrique, João Victor, Lucas Freitas, and Lucas Piton. The midfield will feature Hugo Moura, Paulinho (Jair), and Dimitri Payet, with Nuno Moreira, Benjamin Garré, and Pablo Vegetti leading the attack.
Ceará's coach Léo Conde will also have to navigate through absences, with Fernandinho, Matheus Bahia, Nicolas, Lucas Mugni, Bruno Tubarão, and Pedro Henrique all unavailable due to injuries. Despite these setbacks, the team has shown resilience and will look to capitalize on their home advantage.
The historical record between these two teams favors Vasco, who has won 14 out of 25 encounters, with Ceará securing victory only three times. However, in recent meetings, the competition has been fierce, with Vasco winning four of their last ten matchups against Ceará, who has claimed two victories in that span.
As the match approaches, fans are buzzing with anticipation. The match will be broadcast live on Sportv and Premiere, offering an opportunity for supporters to witness the action unfold. With both teams eager to make a statement, the atmosphere at the Arena Castelão is expected to be electric.
In summary, this clash between Ceará and Vasco da Gama is set to be a pivotal moment in the Brasileirão season. With both teams looking to secure crucial points and build momentum, fans can expect a thrilling encounter filled with passion, skill, and perhaps even a few surprises. Will Pedro Raul find the back of the net against his former club? Can Vasco continue their winning ways? Only time will tell as the match kicks off on April 15.
