Bahia vs Botafogo Prediction: The leader faces a tricky opponent

Bahia and Botafogo will meet in Salvador in the most anticipated match of Round 24. The home team is enjoying a good season, occupying fifth place in the standings. Botafogo leads the Brasileirão and is incredibly motivated after qualifying for the Copa Libertadores quarter-finals.

The Steel Squadron has returned to its best form after a negative period. Bahia has now won three consecutive games without conceding a goal, one of which was against Botafogo in the Copa do Brasil. The Baianos eliminated the Série A leader from the competition and will face Flamengo in the quarter-finals, with the first leg scheduled for next week. Coach Rogério Ceni will have to manage the fitness of his players for this important meeting with Flamengo. The Tricolor wants to beat Botafogo but can't go all in.

The Lone Star side dramatically made it through to the next stage of the Copa Libertadores after a 2-2 draw with Palmeiras in São Paulo. Botafogo had won 2-1 in the first leg, so after Igor Jesus and Savarino scored in the 56th and 64th minutes, things were going pretty well. Yet, Palmeiras didn't give up and scored in the 86th and 90th minutes with an extraordinary comeback. The Cariocas were in great difficulty, and, incredibly, the home team scored a third goal in the 95th minute, which would take the game to penalties. However, the VAR detected a handball by Palmeiras captain Gustavo Gómez to add even more suspense. After analyzing the images, the referee decided to disallow the 3-2 goal for the Verdão, causing an anticlimax at the Allianz Parque. Despite the joy of qualification, the game left its mark on Botafogo, with some players picking up injuries. Coach Artur Jorge will have to change his starting eleven against Bahia.

The two teams have met three times this season, twice in the Copa do Brasil and once in the Brasileirão, with Botafogo failing to win a single game. The Cariocas are highly motivated after eliminating Palmeiras from the Copa Libertadores. However, not only is the game with Bahia very difficult, but coach Artur Jorge can't field his best team due to injuries and suspensions. It's a game where anything can happen, and both teams may score.