Reigning champions Palmeiras are set to host Bahia at Allianz Parque in Brazil's Brasileiro on Sunday in a top-of-the-table clash that could significantly impact the title race.
After 14 games, the home side are third with 27 points and are three from first-placed Flamengo, while the visitors are fourth with 27 points but are below their hosts courtesy of an inferior goal difference.
Match preview
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Despite the fact that the hosts currently reside in third place, they are actually averaging 1.92 points per game, a figure that is more than their title winning 2023 season in which they averaged 1.84 points per game.
If they were to win the Brasileiro again, it would be their third in a row and would make them just the third side to win three consecutive league titles, following in the footsteps of Santos in the 1960s and Sao Paulo from 2006-2008.
Verdao started the league season slowly, winning just twice in their first six games and picking up only eight points.
However, they have since won six out of eight games and have scored 17 goals in this period.
In terms of their defensive record, they have conceded just 11 goals and only 10th-placed Internacional have conceded fewer.
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To add to this, no team has kept more clean sheets than Palmeiras, who have kept their opponents at bay on seven occasions.
It would be no surprise to see manager Abel Ferreira, who has been in charge since October 2020, win his third league title this season with Palmeiras and add to his extensive list of honours that also includes two Copa Libertadores titles.
Having said that, opponents Bahia could pose a significant challenge to the home side's title defence given they are level on points and have been on an upward trajectory since their return to the top flight in 2023.
Indeed, last term the visitors finished in 16th place and accumulated just 44 points at a rate of 1.16 points per game.
However, after 14 games this term, Bahia are averaging 1.92 points per game, and extrapolated over the remainder of the season, this would see them accumulate a total of more than 70 points.
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Manager Rogerio Ceni has been in charge since September 2023, and if he were to lead Bahia to the title, it would be their first since 1988.
Ceni's side have scored 23 goals and have conceded 16 times, the joint second and joint eighth best records respectively.
Bahia won 2-0 last time out in the league against Juventude on Thursday, but prior to this they did lose two of the previous four fixtures.
However, their away form is more concerning considering they have won just one of their seven trips on the road this season and have only won six of their last 41 away top-flight matches.
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The hosts have a long list of absentees including Richard Rios, who is away on international duty with Panama at Copa America.
Centre-back Gustavo Gomez was with Paraguay, but despite the fact they were eliminated in the final group stage game on Wednesday he is still unlikely to feature in Sunday's clash.
Meanwhile, Gabriel Menino and Ze Rafael missed out last time against Gremio on Thursday because they had accumulated too many yellow cards, but the pair are available once again.
Raphael Veiga received a straight red card in Palmeiras' victory against Corinthians on July 2 and is suspended.
As for injuries, defender Murilo Cerqueira will be absent for a short period due to an ankle injury, while forwards Lazaro and Romulo are out until sometime later this month as a result of thigh issues.
Bruno Rodrigues has not featured since January but could be set to return from a knee injury at the end of the month.
Opponents Bahia only have two absentees to contend with, including right-back Santiago Arias, who is currently with Colombia at Copa America.
Elsewhere, the only injury absentee is midfielder Nicolas Acevedo, who is not expected back until September and has not played since December 2023 after he suffered a cruciate ligament injury in January.
Palmeiras possible starting lineup:
Weverton; Rocha, Reis, Naves, Piquerez; Fabinho, Ze Rafael, Jhon; Estevao, Lopez, Rony
Bahia possible starting lineup:
Felipe; Junior, Xavier, Kanu, Juba; Ribeiro, Alexandre, Cauly, Lucas; Everaldo, Thaciano
We say: Palmeiras 2-1 Bahia
Although both sides have the same number of points, it is difficult to look past Palmeiras' outstanding form of late.
Additionally, while it is fair to say that Bahia have performed well this season, it is not clear whether they can sustain their title challenge considering they are only a recently promoted team and have not won the league since 1988.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
