Bahia vs Cuiabá Prediction: Bahia has won every home match

After two complicated games on the road, Bahia returns home to face Cuiabá. Rogério Ceni's men lost to Palmeiras but secured a meaningful victory against Athlético Paranaense in the last round. The Baianos have won all their home games, but their record away from home is considerably weaker. Victory in Curitiba could signal a turning point in Bahia's season, as it hasn't won far from its stadium for two months. 

In our last prediction, we mentioned that Bahia needed away victories to maintain a position in the top four of the table and how this would be a sign of growth for the team. In Curitiba, the Tricolor Baiano appeared determined to win, and this time, it didn't waste chances to score as it had against Palmeiras. Bahia won 3-1 and made an excellent exhibition at the Ligga Arena, where it's difficult to triumph. The Baianos have already visited Flamengo, Palmeiras, Botafogo, and São Paulo, which perhaps explains why they only have two victories on the road. The second half of the league will be more accessible, and Bahia stands a good chance of finishing in the G4 and qualifying directly for the Copa Libertadores group stage. At the Arena Fonte Nova, the team will have massive support from the fans to beat Cuiabá.

The Golden Dorado didn't play in the last round due to the postponement of its match against Juventude. Cuiabá's most recent game was a 1-1 draw away to Flamengo, so the team is motivated and had more time to rest than Bahia. The Mato-Grossenses were tactically sublime at the Maracanã and will be looking to repeat that performance in Salvador against a strong team. Cuiabá is just one place above the relegation zone but has one game in hand.

Everaldo, Bahia's top scorer, received his third yellow card and will not play. As Estupiñan, his replacement, has returned to Hull City, the team's attack looks weaker for this game. Even so, I'm betting on the Baianos to win because they've won all their home games so far, but they'll need to find solutions to beat Cuiabá. The Mato-Grossenses drew with Flamengo at the Maracanã and will try to surprise again in Salvador.