Brazilian Série B: Top-table clashes as Criciúma and Juventude face critical fixtures

The 22nd round of the Campeonato Brasileiro Série B features several key matchups. In a top-of-the-table clash, Juventude, currently in second place with 38 points, faces third-place Fortaleza, who has 35 points. Fortaleza will be playing without left-back Fuentes, who is sidelined for nine months due to a knee injury, and striker Miritello, who is suspended.

League leaders Criciúma, holding 40 points, are set to face Goiás, who currently occupies eighth place with 32 points.

In another fixture, Ponte Preta and Náutico played to a 1-1 draw. The result leaves Náutico in 14th place with 27 points, as the club continues to struggle near the relegation zone. The match saw Náutico finish with only nine players following the ejections of Pato Nuñez and Betão.