Sousa vs Juazeirense - Copa do Nordeste

The Copa do Nordeste returns to the home ground on April 15, 2026, where Sousa and Juazeirense will lock horns in a contest that could shape their respective campaigns. The spectacle was once again on show ahead of Nice’s Europa League clash with AS Roma on Thursday, but what was supposed to be a display of power and pride quickly turned into a far more comical scene.

Form and standings can only tell part of the story when Sousa and Juazeirense cross paths in the Copa do Nordeste, and pride alone should guarantee a contest. The hosts will be looking to find their rhythm and put a run of results together. Juazeirense will travel with intent, knowing that a positive result here could kick-start their campaign. Larson has not visited Victory Lane since May last year but remains firmly in championship contention, sitting eighth in the standings as the NASCAR Chase approaches in September.

Set-piece efficiency could prove the difference on the night. Both Sousa and Juazeirense have invested time in dead-ball situations this season, and a single corner or free-kick may settle it. They were slightly found out against Amorim's Milan in pre-season, with the press not quite sharp enough - the fourth goal, in particular, came from just one ball over a high-lined defence.

Game-changers are scattered across both line-ups, and the contest may well be decided by which side's match-winners deliver on the day. How each side deals with the other's danger men — and who takes their chances when they come — will be central to the outcome. At the moment I'm very happy with him." Manchester City midfielder Nico Gonzalez believes the structure of the Blues has changed since Enzo Maresca replaced Pep Guardiola.

Predictions are tricky when the sides are this evenly matched, and small margins — a moment of quality, a slice of luck — could decide it either way. The signals point towards a stalemate, with the two sides closely matched across form and standings. A 1-1 draw is easy to envisage. Whatever the outcome, the Copa do Nordeste fixture promises a meaningful contest with real implications for both clubs. The team currently most likely to win the 2026 WNBA Finals according to Opta.