Náutico vs Ceará: match statistics

Náutico have a clear advantage in chance creation at home, averaging 18.6 shots and an xG of 1.97, while Ceará allow opponents an xG of 1.53 away from home. The hosts concede just 0.8 goals per match on home soil and keep a clean sheet in 40% of their games, whereas Ceará concede an average of 1.4 goals away. Náutico’s main issue is finishing: despite averaging 4.7 shots on target per match, they score only 0.9 goals at home and fail to score in 50% of their games. Ceará have been slightly more consistent recently, collecting 8 points from five matches compared with Náutico’s 6, but they have won only 20% of their away fixtures and have a negative goal difference of -4. The hosts’ advantage in controlling the game, with 61% average possession compared with Ceará’s 47%, points to Náutico having moderately better chances, although a draw remains a very realistic outcome.

The signal for goals from both sides is moderately positive: Náutico recorded BTTS in 45% of their matches this season, while Ceará did so in 50%, against a league average of 48%. In their last five matches, the hosts recorded BTTS in as many as 80% of cases, and their average xG conceded rose to 1.71, giving Ceará a genuine opportunity to score. Ceará produced an average of 1.68 xG and scored 1.4 goals per match during this period, while Náutico kept a clean sheet in only 27% of their matches this season. The hosts should respond with a goal of their own, as they average 1.81 xG and 5.45 shots on target per match across the season, while Ceará’s defence concedes an average of 1.4 goals and allows 1.53 xG. The risk of a No Goal scenario remains significant, as both teams failed to score in 36% and 40% of their matches respectively, but the current data provides a slightly stronger argument for BTTS - Yes.

The profile of both teams clearly limits the risk of a very high-scoring game: 91% of Náutico’s matches and 90% of Ceará’s ended with fewer than 3.5 goals. Náutico score an average of 1.09 goals per match, while Ceará average 1.00; meanwhile, the hosts concede 1.00 and the visitors 1.40 goals. The chance-quality metrics also do not point to a one-sided match with a goal avalanche: Náutico’s average xG is 1.81, compared with 1.53 xG conceded by Ceará, while Ceará generate 1.25 xG and concede 1.12 xG to their opponents. In their last five appearances, both teams conceded 5 goals, while only 40% of Náutico’s matches and 20% of Ceará’s went over 2.5 goals. The strongest pick is therefore Under 3.5 goals, as the season-long data for both sides consistently supports a scenario with a maximum of three goals.

Náutico have a clear advantage in the first halves: they were leading at the break in 45% of their matches, while Ceará have not recorded a single such instance and average only 0.10 goals before half-time. The hosts also create more chances, posting an average xG of 1.81 compared with the opponents’ 1.25, while averaging 5.45 shots on target per match to Ceará’s 3.30. Náutico’s defence concedes just 0.36 goals per game before the break, whereas Ceará fail to score in as many as 90% of first halves, further supporting the scenario of the home side taking the lead at half-time. Over the full match, the hosts also have the better overall record, winning 36% of their games compared with Ceará’s 20%, while the visitors concede an average of 1.40 goals per match. Ceará are more dangerous after the break, averaging 0.90 goals, so a draw at half-time followed by a Náutico win remains a realistic alternative; however, the strongest single HT/FT outcome is Náutico leading at half-time and securing the full-time victory (1/1).