The 2021 Brazilian Serie A season will kick off this weekend with a key fixture between Bahia and Santos. The two rivals go into the season following differing ends to last term.
Bahia went unbeaten in their final four games to finish seven points above the relegation zone. Santos, on the other hand, were winless in their final two games and ended the campaign in eighth place.
📹 Enquanto isso, treino na Cidade Tricolor tem os retornos de Gilberto, Juninho e Jonas #BBMP pic.twitter.com/zSPpSF47rB— Esporte Clube Bahia (@ECBahia) May 27, 2021
📹 Enquanto isso, treino na Cidade Tricolor tem os retornos de Gilberto, Juninho e Jonas #BBMP pic.twitter.com/zSPpSF47rB
The Black and White also lost the Copa Libertadores 2020 Final to Palmeiras to add insult to injury.
Now, manager Fernando Diniz will aim to improve on last season’s result. However, the Paulista tournament did not go well for Santos. They finished 12th out of 16 teams competing.
The home team have won the last three games between Bahia and Santos. The trend could continue thanks to Bahia’s good form at home in 2020. They took 29 points from 19 home matches and ended the season unbeaten in four of their last five home fixtures.
Santos fell 2-0 to Bahia away from home last season. The Road was not a nice place for Santos as they collected 20 points from 19 available to them. They posted a poor –11-goal difference on their travels.
The Black and White have already seen a bit of upheaval at the club. Just weeks before the season’s start, Ariel Hulan resigned as coach and Diniz was appointed. Hulan left the club after a mere two months in charge. Diniz previously coached Atletico PR, Flamengo, and Sao Paulo.
Bahia coach Dado Cavalcanti has one player on the injury list going into the game. Juan Pablo Ramirez has an ACL injury and won’t be back until the second half of the season.
Five players are listed as long-term absentees for Santos. Midfielder Sandry, forward Jobson, midfielder Carlos Sanchez, and Rafael Longuine all have ACL injuries. Raniel is out until next month with a ruptured Achilles’ tendon.
Santos struggled at the end of last season. They had a poor road record and have already changed coaches once this season and the league campaign hasn’t kicked off. Santos could struggle this season once more and the dream of a top four finish could be over early.
Bahia should keep the trend of the home team winning when these teams play going.
The Tricolor should secure a victory and start the Brazilian Serie A season off well. The game should see over 2.5 goals and both teams score.