Chapecoense vs Bahia – News and Probable Lineups

This Sunday morning, Chapecoense will face Bahia at Arena Conda in Chapeco, as the home team looks to lift themselves off the last position in the Brasileirao standings.

Chapecoense, based in Santa Catarina, have managed to secure only 10 points from 21 games, while Bahia is positioned sixth with 33 points, firmly in the race for a top-four finish.

Match overview

Chapecoense’s season has been dire, with just one victory, seven draws, and 13 defeats from their 21 matches. The team has particularly struggled defensively, conceding 43 goals at an average of 2.05 per game, the worst in the league.

At Arena Conda, their issues have been magnified further, collecting only seven points from 10 home matches, winning just once while drawing four and losing five, earning them the worst home record in the Brasileirao.

Historically, Chapecoense has an edge in their head-to-head encounters, winning five times compared to four losses and recording four draws in 13 meetings; however, most of this success occurred from 2014 to 2022 when Chapecoense was competing at a significantly higher level.

The last encounter between these two teams highlighted the disparity between them, with Chapecoense losing 2-0 at Fonte Nova in the 19th round, an outcome that could easily repeat itself.

Rogerio Ceni’s team has a chance to achieve a league double over Chapecoense; Bahia heads into this match in sixth position with 33 points from 22 matches, and their schedule has lightened significantly following their exit from both the Copa do Brasil and the Libertadores.

This could provide a considerable advantage in the final stages of the season, especially as Ceni’s side aims for a top-four finish, currently just two points behind fourth-placed Fluminense, meaning a win in Chapeco could bring them within one point of the Champions League spots.

However, the Tricolor has not been able to convert chances into results recently, having drawn their last four league matchups against Atletico-MG, Corinthians, Fluminense, and Vasco, though their most recent win came against Chapecoense.

On the road, Bahia has proven to be competitive, with four wins, three draws, and three losses from their 10 away fixtures, accumulating 15 points along the way.

This is the best away record among the top six teams, aside from league leaders Palmeiras, underscoring that Ceni’s team is not solely dependent on home advantages for points.

Team News

Chapecoense has welcomed right-back Heitor to their squad after his transfer from Portuguese club Portimonense.

Nevertheless, Rafael Lacerda’s team is facing several injury challenges, with Bruno Tubarao uncertain due to a thigh issue, while Bolasie is definitely out due to an abdominal injury.

Rafael Carvalheira, Victor Caetano, Joao Paulo, Max Alves, and Robert Santos are also unavailable.

Bahia is keeping an eye on several players ahead of their southern trip, with Luciano Juba having resumed physical training in his recovery from an ankle injury but remains a doubt for Sunday.

Erick has also returned to partial training with the team, while Everton Ribeiro is intensifying his recovery efforts.

Ademir is still sidelined as he continues to recover from an adductor strain in his left leg.

Chapecoense probable starting XI:

A. Passion; Fernando, Kauan, Doma, Everton; MATIAS, Camilo; Marcinho, Giovanni A., Rubens; Thulium

Bahia probable starting XI:

Ronaldo; Gilberto, Duarte, Mingo, Ze Guilherme; Acevedo, Lucas, Nestor; Ademir, Veliz, Araujo

Bahia is expected to control a large portion of the ball early on and possesses sufficient quality to take advantage of a Chapecoense defense that has conceded more goals than any other team in the Brasileirão.

Given the hosts’ struggling home record, combined with their lengthy list of absentees and only one victory this season, it’s challenging to envisage them pulling off a significant upset.

While Bahia’s recent run of four consecutive draws is worrying, this match presents an excellent opportunity for Ceni’s squad to get back to winning ways. A 2-0 victory for the visitors seems likely.