Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Copa Sudamericana match.
In truth, Bahia did not originally set their sights on the Copa Sudamericana playoffs, but they were pushed into this scenario after Atlético Nacional finished ahead of them in their Copa Libertadores group. Now, another Colombian opponent, América de Cali, will attempt to eliminate them entirely from continental competition.
Bahia
This is not yet the round of 16, but rather a play-off tie to qualify for that stage—a format that has gained popularity in recent years. Since their drop from the Copa Libertadores, Bahia have benefited from a challenging schedule this autumn (by local timing), facing strong opposition and gaining valuable experience. In Brazil’s top division, their recent form has been excellent: three straight wins with an aggregate scoreline of 7:2. Only two other sides in the league can match that run.
América de Cali
América de Cali endured a disappointing close to their Apertura campaign. Despite finishing top of the regular season standings, they failed to reach the final in the playoff phase, falling behind Independiente Santa Fe, who had only finished sixth in the regular standings. The Clausura is already underway, and in their opening match Gabriel Raimondi, who was appointed only three weeks ago, was on the bench.
Bahia vs América de Cali Prediction
A managerial change can sometimes deliver a short-term lift, but that impact is often muted when it happens between seasons. Rogério Ceni, appointed nearly two years ago, has built a strong rapport with his squad. We expect Bahia to capitalise on home advantage and take the win here. The second leg will provide further clarity next week.
