Athletico-PR vs Bahia Prediction: Expect a competitive game

Martín Varíni is the new coach of Athletico Paranaense. The 32-year-old Uruguayan will not sit on the bench for the game against Bahia, and the team will continue under Juca. Athletico and Bahia are in sixth and fifth place, respectively, so the game should be very even.

The Hurricane picked up a significant 2-1 win at Atlético Goianiense. The Paranaenses were 1-0 down but turned the result around with goals from Julimar and Lucas Di Yoro. The team reacted well to the previous round's defeat at home to São Paulo. Athletico is in sixth place and remains well-positioned to reach the next edition of the Copa Libertadores. The game ahead won't be easy, although Bahia seems to have lost a bit of steam. As the Baianos are not as strong on the road as they are at home, Athletico can win.

The Steel Squadron lost 2-0 at the Allianz Parque against Palmeiras. The two teams were level on 27 points, and in the end, the team that was more used to big games won. Bahia had a clamorous chance with the game tied 0-0. Jean Lucas went one-on-one with Wéverton, the Palmeiras goalkeeper, and missed carelessly, perhaps because he thought he was offside. Shortly after, Estêvão scored the Paulistas' first goal in the 45th minute. Although the away matches with Flamengo and Palmeiras were even, the Baianos lacked class at crucial moments. Bahia conceded the losing goal against Flamengo in the 94th minute. The Tricolor has only won one game on the road, so it needs to improve its performance away from Salvador to remain in the top positions.

Athletico-PR and Bahia are undoubtedly two good teams in the Brasileirão. Bahia perhaps needs to gain confidence away from home and in matches against title contenders. The Baianos are strong at home, but so are the Paranaenses. It would be a great sign of growth for Bahia to get a good result at the Ligga Arena, where the Hurricane had gone 21 games unbeaten until the last home match with São Paulo. It's hard to bet on the visitors winning until they show the right attitude to win on the road. I'm going for a Double Chance for Athletico with a maximum of three goals in the game.