Grêmio vs Bahia Prediction: The Gaúchos are playing with confidence

Grêmio hasn't lost in eight games and is going through the best period of the season, managing to get out of the relegation zone. Corinthians eliminated the Gaúchos in the Copa do Brasil, but the tie ended in a penalty shootout after two draws in both games. This week, the Immortal defeated Fluminense 2-1 in the first leg of the Copa Libertadores Round of 16 and confirmed the rise in confidence.

Renato Portaluppi's strategy of dividing the team into two groups worked perfectly. The coach decided to take part of the squad to Cuiabá while the remaining players traveled to Curitiba to prepare for the Copa Libertadores clash with Fluminense. Grêmio beat Cuiabá 3-1 away in the Brasileirão and a few days later defeated the Cariocas, the Copa Libertadores holders, by 2-1 after trailing 1-0. Portaluppi will most likely rotate players again with Bahia because his team will play the second leg against Fluminense next week. A win against Bahia would be welcome, but the opposition is strong, and, at the moment, the Copa Libertadores is the priority.

The Steel Squadron has won two consecutive home games and seems to have finally overcome its negative period. Bahia beat Botafogo 1-0 to qualify for the Copa do Brasil quarter-finals and, in the last round of the league, defeated Vitória 2-0 in the Salvador derby. The Baianos will have a tough run of matches against the best teams in the Brasileirão and will have to be at their best to maintain their good position in the standings. In Round 4, Bahia beat Grêmio 1-0 at home with a goal from Everaldo and will be looking to repeat the result in Caxias do Sul.

The game promises to be exciting as both teams have quality players and will be playing to win. Gremio is in the best moment of the season, but the meeting with Bahia comes in the middle of a Copa Libertadores knockout round. The Tricolor Gaúcho probably won't be at full strength because, a few days later, the team will decide its fate in South America's most important club. Bahia can take advantage of this factor and will want to bring points to Salvador. The Gaúchos are confident, but betting on a Grêmio victory is risky, as Bahia has the talent to do well. That's why I'm betting on a Double Chance in favor of Grêmio with a maximum of three goals scored.