The ninth round of fixtures in the Brazilian Serie A kick off this week and we have several games to look forward to on Thursday 13th June. One of which is between Internacional and Bahia at the Estádio José Pinheiro Borda.
Internacional begin this game in 7th place with 13 points from eight games played while Bahia are one place ahead of them in the table on 14 points. So, there is all to play for in this match as both clubs aim to break into to the top four.
Internacional come into this game on the back of a 2-1 loss at Vasco da Gama. It was a disappointing defeat against a team currently sitting in the relegation zone. Two late goals in the first half were enough to win the match for the hosts.
That was Internacional’s first defeat in eight games and they had won five and drawn two prior to that match. Four of those eight matches were in Serie A and Internacional won three and drawn one. The wins came at home against Cruzeiro, CSA and Avai and the draw was away to Santos.
Trends show Internacional have won each of their last five home games and have lost just one of their last twenty. They have won each of their last three home matches by 2 or more goals.
Bahia were held to a 0-0 draw at Ceara on the weekend which was a decent point away from home. It maintained their unbeaten record which stretches to six games in all competitions. They have defeated Fluminense and Gremio in Serie A plus Sao Paulo both home and away in the Copa do Brasil.
Trends show Bahia are undefeated in their last four league matches, winning two home games and drawing two away. Their away form is what has been letting them down in Serie A and Bahia have won only two of their last twenty-three away matches in the league, which is a poor record.
Bahia have failed to score a single goal in five of their last six away league games.
Looking ahead to the team news and Internacional could be without the injured duo of Rodrigo Dourado and Matheus Galdezani who have both had a knee problem. There are also doubts over Dudu, Rodrigo Moledo and Leandro Damiao.
Bahia will travel without Gregore who is suspended. Élber and Gilberto Oliveira have been injured and it remains to be seen if they will take any part in the match. Top scorer, Artur, is expected to play in attack.
Internacional must come into this game as favourites to win. They are strong at home while Bahia are weak on the road. The hosts could come away with another win by 2 goals or more.