Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the CONMEBOL Sudamericana match.
América de Cali failed to capitalise on Bahia's missed chances in the first leg, which ended in a goalless draw (0:0). As a result, the decisive fixture will take place in Colombia. The winner will go on to face Fluminense in the next round.
América de Cali
América de Cali are currently experiencing a challenging spell. The squad has struggled to find rhythm following a prolonged break and were comprehensively second-best in the opening leg of this Copa Sudamericana tie. In Brazil, they had just 23% possession and recorded only two attempts on goal, with 0.07 xG. A marked improvement within a single week seems unlikely.
Bahia
There are also significant concerns surrounding Bahia, particularly with regard to their finishing. Despite registering 23 shots in the home leg, the team produced only 1.77 xG. To compound matters, a key midfielder, Everton Ribeiro, received a red card and will miss the second leg — a notable setback to their prospects.
América de Cali vs Bahia Prediction
The first leg produced no goals. While Bahia controlled much of the play, breaking down América de Cali's defence on Colombian soil will be an even greater challenge. With so much riding on the result, this is unlikely to be a high-scoring affair. Total Under 2.5 looks the most sensible outcome.
