Bahia will be looking to bounce back to winning ways in Brasileiro when they take on Corinthians in gameweek 18 at Arena Fonte Nova this Sunday.
The hosts are currently in fifth place with 30 points after 17 league games, while the visitors are on 15 points over the same period, and are the first side below the dotted line.
Match preview
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Under the ownership of the City Football Group, Bahia made a positive return to Brasileiro, beating Atletico Mineiro 4-1 on the final day of last season to secure their top-flight survival at the expense of Santos.
This season, the Tricolor have continued their upward trajectory, posting a record of nine wins, three draws and five losses in the first 17 games of the campaign, and they are currently level on points with fourth-placed Sao Paolo.
Last week, though, Rogerio Ceni's side conceded a 2-1 defeat to Cuiaba, marking their first dropped points here at Arena Fonte Nova this season following a run of seven consecutive victories.
While Bahia have done well in attack this season, currently holding the league's second-highest goals tally (27), they will need to address their defensive frailties in the second half of the season, having shipped 21 goals to date, which is the second-most of the teams in the top half of the league standings.
The hosts took four points off this opponent last season, playing out a goalless draw at this venue last July before securing a thumping 5-1 victory at the Neo Quimica Arena in November.
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Meanwhile, after finishing the 2021 and 2022 seasons in the top five, Corinthians have experienced a fall from grace in the last two campaigns, only managing 13th last term and currently sitting in the drop zone this year.
With 17 games already in the rearview mirror, Timao are averaging less than a point per match this season, currently possessing a record of just three wins, six draws and eight losses to date.
After managing only a single victory in 10 matches between the start of June and early July, the club opted to part ways with Toni Oliveira, with Argentine tactician Ramon Diaz brought in to steer the side to safety.
The new boss made a positive start to life in Sao Paolo, leading his side to an impressive comeback victory over Criciuma last week, with Angel Romero and Caca getting on the scoresheet.
Diaz's next task will be to help his side improve their dismal away record of two points earned in nine games on the road this season, which includes three consecutive defeats leading up to this match.
Team News
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Bahia will be able to welcome centre-forward Everaldo back from suspension this weekend, but defender Gabriel Xavier is now sidelined for this match due to an accumulation of yellows.
Nicolas Acevedo has not played a minute this season due to a cruciate ligament injury and Biel has been ruled out of action until next month with an ankle injury.
For the visitors, Raniele also crossed the yellow card threshold in their last match and he will be joined on the sidelines by Diego Palacios, who is still on his way to recovery from a knee injury.
Maycon and Ruan Oliveira are both out with cruciate ligament injuries, although the latter is believed to be around a month away from returning to first-team training.
Bahia possible starting lineup:
Felipe; Cicinho, Rezende, Kanu, Iago; Lucas, Alexandre, Ribeiro, Spouza, Thaciano; Santos
Corinthians possible starting lineup:
Nogueira; Matheuzinho, Henrique, Caca, Farias; Giovane, Santana, Garro; Wesley, Alberto, Romero
We say: Bahia 2-1 Corinthians
Barring last week's defeat, Bahia have been incredible at home this season and they will be determined to bounce back here to keep the pressure on the sides at the top of the table.
While Corinthians made a positive start to life under new leadership, it is difficult to look past the fact that they have not won an away match in 2024, and we feel they will see that record extended in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Devesh Jaganath
