CSA will open its 2024 season this weekend, when it hosts the Iguatu team in the qualifying phase for this year’s Copa do Nordeste.
The Copa do Nordeste will start this weekend, but not yet in its group stage, as the last participants are still to be defined.
The competition already has 12 confirmed clubs and there are still 4 places open.
In addition to participating in an important regional competition, which gives a place in the Copa do Brasil next season, there is still a financial incentive.
The clubs that are eliminated in this first phase receive a total of 126 thousand reais, while those eliminated in the second phase of the knockout round receive 189 thousand.
Whoever reaches the group stage and advances in the competition will receive even bigger prizes, therefore, it is absolutely important that the clubs are able to pass this qualifying stage.
However, the beginning of the year is always very difficult, as the teams do not have the rhythm of the game, the players are still feeling the pre-season and will certainly not have their best performances.
For CSA it is important to play at home, for this first match the team has a series of reinforcements that have been regularized.
Last Wednesday the club regularized 5 players. Attacking midfielder Caio Vitor, right-back Lucas Marques, striker Rômulo, defender Thiago Lopes and center forward Tiago Marques.
CSA is favored to advance, not only in this first phase, but also enter the group stage of the competition.
The expectation is for the Rei Pelé stadium to be full, and this is certainly a great weapon in their favor.
We shouldn’t expect such a technically brilliant game, but still, with the home team dominating the actions of this match.
Iguatu has the disadvantage of deciding this match away from home.
The team, however, generates expectations among its opponents, since in the last season of the Ceará state championship, the team came in third place.
The board retained the coach from the victorious campaign, Washington Luís, and also hired 14 players.
This is a question mark, as it is not known whether they will be able to maintain the same performance and a completely renewed team, it may still take time to find a fit.
A good performance in the first engagement, with such a mixed cast, is certainly not a trend.
In fact, Iguatu’s signings do not come from a prominent name in national football, the players come from small clubs, but are still able to show their value.
Our expectation is that it will not be a match with many goals, especially due to the lack of competitive rhythm from CSA and Iguatu at the beginning of 2024.
The fact that it is a decisive confrontation, which is worth staying in the competition, will probably mean that this game will have few goals.
Conclusion:
Therefore, the line of fewer goals may be a good betting option, but CSA’s victory, even due to the local factor, will be my betting choice for this weekend.