With the threat of relegation away, Bahia enters the field on Thursday, November 16, in search of a much bolder goal. Receives Santos, at the Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador, starting at 9pm (Brasília time), aiming for a place in the 2018 edition of the Copa Libertadores da América. The match closes the thirty-fifth round of the Brazilian Championship.
Bahia’s recent performance
On Sunday, November 12, Bahia drew 2-2 at home to Atletico-MG. With that, he rose to 46 points (12 wins, 10 draws and 12 losses) and remained in ninth place.
Thus, reduced to four points compared to Flamengo, who completed the day of number 34 closing the zone classification for the continental tournament. This opens up to the Bahian tricolor the chance to ambition this spot, especially in the face of their recent good campaign. The team did not lose five rounds ago (three wins of two draws).
The qualifying block for the tournament can still be extended if Flamengo wins the South American Cup title and Grêmio wins the 2017 edition of Libertadores. If that happens, even the ninth place would take place in the tournament.
The quiet situation has already started the season of speculation for the 2018 season. Goalkeeper Jean became the protagonist of the first novel. It would be being negotiated with São Paulo. However, such a situation will only be resolved after the presidential elections have been held at the club.
The current form of Santos
Santos, who even rehearsed a speech that he was running for the title after Levir Culpi’s dismissal, took a bucket of cold water on the night of Monday, November 13. In Chapecó, it took 2 to 0 of Chapecoense. Thus, they will have to conform even to try to stay in the block of the top four and thus secure the place in the group stage of the Libertadores.
With 56 points (15 wins, 11 draws and eight losses), the Fish is at the limit. At the opening of the thirty-fifth round he was fourth with five points ahead of Botafogo, then the biggest threat to his place.
The situation is relatively comfortable, but the relationship crisis in the cast seems to be the biggest threat. The left-back Zeca, in a collision course with the fans, went to court to untie the alvinegro. He says he has not received the payments by the deadline. The situation should only be defined next year. In the meantime, he trains separately and can not be used by assistant coach Elano, who has taken on an interim basis for the team’s command.
Although the situation has not reached this stage, midfielder Lucas Lima is also accused by the fans of not being dedicated in training and also in games as it should. With a contract ending in December, he has already decided to leave Santos. Palmeiras is your most likely destination. In Chapecó, he was knocked out by Elano early in the second half and may not even be among the starters on Thursday.
History of the matches
There were 33 matches involving the teams since 1971 in the Brasileirão. The Saints won 15 times. Bahia won 11. The draws were seven. In the first round of the 2017 edition, alvinegro scored 3-0 to reach his fourth consecutive success in the duel.
Playing better and more motivated, Bahia is the best guessing option for this Thursday’s duel. It has a prize of 1.95 in Bet365. Draw returns 3.20. Success visitor multiplies the amount invested by 4.10.