Bahia vs Atletico Mineiro Prediction

The Brasileirão action continues this weekend and South American expert Nathan Joyes provides his Bahia vs Atletico Mineiro prediction, team news, lineups and fixtures preview.

The City Group club has stalled in recent weeks but remain in contention for a Copa Libertadores spot next season, while Atletico Mineiro have wildly underperformed under Gabriel Milito this campaign.

With the Copa Libertadores quarter-finals around the corner for Mineiro, Bahia have the opportunity to return to winning ways in front of their own fans.

• Bahia vs Atletico Mineiro Tip 1: Bahia to win

• Bahia vs Atletico Mineiro Tip 2: Under 2.5 Goals

• Bahia vs Atletico Mineiro Tip 3: Eduardo Vargas 0.5 Shots On Target

Bahia vs Atletico Mineiro Prediction 1: Narrow victory

Brazil, Brazil Serie A, Sunday, September 15th, 22:30 (UK)

It has been a strange season so far for Bahia, who began the first ten games competing in and around first spot.

As the season has progressed, they’ve slowly begun to slide down the table, yet remain within touching distance of a Libertadores spot (top four finish). Anything less than a spot in next year’s Sudamericana will be a huge disappointment.

At home, however, is where they have competed rather well. Collecting 26 points from 12 matches, scoring 17 goals as well as conceding just seven, has shown tremendous growth. The investment within the squad is starting to pay off.

The experience of former Flamengo midfielder Everton Ribeiro has played a huge part in their trajectory, and the recent addition of highly-rated Luciano Rodriguez will in time be an astute signing.

Mineiro have underperformed in the league. Expected to challenge for the title after finishing second last campaign, they are well off the pace in 9th spot. Last season’s golden boot winner Paulinho has been massively disappointed, and the constant formation shifting hasn’t settled the squad.

Mineiro face Fluminense in the Libertadores next week, and with focus elsewhere, Bahia can get back on track at home.

• Bahia vs Atletico Mineiro Prediction 1: Bahia to win
• Best Odds: 2.00
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 7/10

Bahia vs Atletico Mineiro Prediction 2: Goal drought anticipated

With both teams playing in the Copa do Brasil midweek, and with Mineiro playing three days after this fixture, we’ve hit the point of the season where it is just relentless.

The Brazilian calendar is one of the busiest in world football, and as we reach key points of certain competitions, this will only take its toll on the players.

With that in mind, this is where we will see plenty of rotations – in particular Mineiro who have three huge games in a seven day window.

Bahia aren’t known to concede too many at home in the league (seven). In fact, their last six matches in front of their own fans have seen under 2.5 goals land in each of those.

At the time of writing, it has landed in three of the last five games Mineiro have faced on the road, and these two sides shared a 1-1 draw earlier in the campaign.

• Bahia vs Atletico Mineiro Prediction 2: Under 2.5 Goals
• Best Odds: 1.727
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 6/10

Bahia vs Atletico Mineiro Prediction 3: Chilean catches the eye

It’s difficult to know who will be starting and who will be benched for Mineiro, but I’m going to take a chance on their experienced Chilean forward to feature.

Eduardo Vargas has mainly appeared from off the bench this campaign, yet his record is rather strong. Having scored five goals in 15 league appearances, Vargas is still deadly inside the box at the age of 34.

He scored the winner against Gremio when Mineiro found themselves 2-0 down at half-time. Vargas was thrown on, and he found himself in the right place, at the right time to score a dramatic late winner.

It’s highly likely that Hulk and Deyverson will be rested for the Libertadores tie with Fluminense, and if Vargas starts or features for at least 45 minutes, his price at 1.90 to hit the target once i very appealing.

• Bahia vs Atletico Mineiro Prediction 3: Eduardo Vargas 0.5 Shots On Target
• Best Odds: 1.900
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 5/10

Bahia vs Atletico Mineiro Prediction odds via bet365 as at 15:00, August 27th, 2024. Odds may now differ.

Bahia vs Atletico Mineiro Injuries, Team News and Possible Lineups: Rotations expected for visitors

Having featured in the Copa do Brasil quarter-final midweek, and with the Libertadores on Tuesday, Milito will have little to no choice but to rotate his starting XI.

Although underperforming in the league, the best chance the Argentinian has to keep his job is to win a Libertadores title – and so that takes priority.

As such, expect top goalscorer Hulk to be rested, while Paulinho and Scarpa’s minutes may be limited.

The hosts have no fresh injury concerns to worry about, and they will be hoping they can take advantage of their opponents.

Bahia possible starting lineup:
Felipe; Juba, Kanu, Xavier, Arias, Cauly, Ribeiro, Lucas, Alexandre, Thaciano, Everaldo

Atletico Mineiro possible starting lineup:
Everson; Guilherme, Alonso, Battaglia, Saravia, Bernard, Scarpa, Franco, Otavio, Vera, Vargas

Match Stats

• Bahia have only conceded seven goals at home this season in the league.
• Atletico Mineiro will play three matches in seven days across three competitions.
• Both teams drew 1-1 in the reverse game earlier in the campaign.

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