Vitoria vs Fortaleza EC - Copa do Nordeste

All eyes turn to the home ground on June 6, 2026 as Vitoria welcome Fortaleza EC in a Copa do Nordeste encounter that promises tension, intrigue and no shortage of subplot. Just as was the case in the previous meeting between the teams in April of last year, when Emery's side gave them such a scare in the Champions League tie at Villa Park, PSG were hanging on at the end.

Both Vitoria and Fortaleza EC will be eager to build momentum when they meet in Copa do Nordeste. The hosts will hope that the the home ground crowd can inspire a performance, whatever the numbers suggest. The visitors will back themselves to cause problems and will not make the trip expecting an easy afternoon. Phil Foden was handed a free role in the No 10 position behind striker Muamba, who scored in consecutive pre-season games.

Pressing intensity will define the contest. Vitoria will seek to win the ball high up the pitch and suffocate Fortaleza EC's build-up, while the visitors will aim to play through the pressure and exploit the spaces it leaves behind. Schalke were third bottom for possession in winning the second tier, let alone facing Bayern.

Star players on both sides will be eager to make their mark, and the individual duels across the pitch could go a long way to deciding the outcome. The wide areas will be a key battleground, with full-backs and wingers on either side capable of swinging the contest one way or the other. Michael Carrick has had his critics since taking the Man Utd job in January and some of them are former teammates of the midfielder.

The market has yet to form a strong view, and the contest looks genuinely difficult to call. Neither side holds a clear edge, and a 1-1 draw would be a fitting reflection of the balance between them. With positions in the Copa do Nordeste table to defend and momentum to chase, neither side can afford to leave anything in the tank. The club are understood to favour a profile closer to Aurelien Tchouameni or a Premier League‑proven alternative rather than Manu Kone.