Flamengo vs Bahia Prediction: After losing the cup and Sampaoli, how will Flamengo react?

By losing the Copa do Brasil final to São Paulo, Flamengo has let down more than 40 million fans. Coach Jorge Sampaoli couldn't resist another failure and was sacked. Occupying seventh place, 11 points behind first-placed Botafogo, and out of the remaining competitions, everything indicates that the Scarlet-Black won't win anything this season. The top four places in the Série A will grant access to the group stage of the Copa Libertadores, and that's the goal Flamengo must now hold on to. Sampaoli wasn't much appreciated by the squad, so players will feel relieved and probably step up their game.

The 1-1 draw at the Morumbi in the second leg of the Copa do Brasil final tasted like a heavy defeat. The team lost a trophy and will likely not win anything this year. Flamengo also reached the Campeonato Carioca final this season but lost it to Fluminense. In the Copa Libertadores, the Vulture was knocked out by Olimpia in the Round of 16. Winning the Brasileirão seems like a mirage, but getting to the group stage of the Copa Libertadores is a realistic goal. Flamengo must beat Bahia to avoid losing touch with the top four.

Coach Rogério Ceni had an auspicious debut for Bahia when his side beat Coritiba 4-2 in Round 23. However, a home defeat to direct rival Santos and Vasco da Gama's victory in its postponed match moved the Baianos back to the bottom. A point at the Maracanã would be very positive as the Tricolor is just one point behind Goiás, which also has a tough trip to Botafogo. The last time Bahia drew away to Flamengo was in 2014 in a match played in Macaé, but the last draw at the Maracanã was in 2002, so tradition is not on the Baianos' side.

Flamengo has to win to ease the sadness of its fans after the defeat in the Copa do Brasil. There is no other acceptable result for a team of millions, which is only seventh in the table, regardless of who is on the bench in charge. Bahia will be looking to pick up a point but will face a wounded opponent. I'm betting on a Flamengo victory with a Total of Goals Under 5.5 to raise the odds.