Bahia v Cuiaba Esporte Clube

Bahia vs Cuiaba Preview

Fourth placed Bahia maintained their position in the top four pack of the Brazilian top flight table with a 3-1 win away from home at Athletico PR, while Cuiaba's winless run in the Serie A extended to five games overall following a 1-1 draw away from home at Flamengo which was nevertheless a solid point against the current league leaders.

Despite slipping to recent defeats at the hands of Flamengo, Sao Paulo and Palmeiras, Bahia have also picked up important victories over Cruzeiro, Vasco da Gama, Juventude and Athletico PR, the former three wins all being achieved on home soil at their Arena Fonte Nova, which have helped thrust the hosts into early contention for a possible place in next season's Copa Libertadores.

Interestingly, each of Bahia's three defeats were all inflicted upon Rogerio Ceni's side on their travels and the bigger picture shows the hosts have suffered just three losses in their last 15 matches overall in the Brazilian Serie A while also collecting nine wins as well.

Perhaps even more telling is the fact that seven of these nine wins for Bahia have been registered on home soil at their Arena Fonte Nova where they have won their last eight home matches on the trot.

Cuiaba have now failed to win any of their last five games overall in the domestic top flight which consists of four draws but just one defeat and the visitors will still feel upbeat about their chances against Bahia having managed to hold Flamengo to a 1-1 draw away from home last time out.

Points picked up in draws with Atletico GO, Corinthians, Bragantino and Flamengo have just about outweighed a 2-1 loss at home to Botafogo but the bigger picture shows the visitors have managed to capture just three wins in their last 15 matches overall which perhaps suggest this upcoming trip to the Arena Fonte Nova is likely to be a tough one.

Seven defeats in these last 15 games in Serie A also indicate Cuiaba could be vulnerable in this upcoming encounter, especially as Petit's side have collected just two wins in their previous nine outings on the road.

Occasional wins on their travels at Criciuma and Sao Paulo have been offset by losses incurred at Flamengo, Athletico PR, Gremio and Cruzeiro and the visitors face another tough challenge in the shape of Bahia here as well.

Bahia v Cuiaba Verdict

Bahia's superior consistency in gaining not only positive results but also wins in the Brazilian top flight could well prove to be the decisive factor in determining the outcome of this upcoming encounter at the Arena Fonte Nova, along with holding a solid record at home behind them as well.

Bahia will also be highly motivated to hold onto fourth place.

Therefore, our main bet will be Bahia win @ 1.61

Other side bets worth considering:

Bahia win & Under 2.5 goals @ 3.50

Correct Score: Bahia 2-0 @ 7.00