Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Brazilian Série A match.
All the other matches in round 23 have been played, and now it is down to Bahia and Cruzeiro to decide who comes out on top. Both sides have lost just once in their last five league outings.
Bahia
For Bahia, the build-up has largely come through cup football. They brushed aside weaker opposition in three ties but then came unstuck in the Copa do Brasil quarter-finals against Fluminense. After a 1:0 first-leg win, they were undone 0:2 in the return. The first goal came from a needless handball in the box, while the second was conceded from a free kick, with 40-year-old Thiago Silva left unmarked.
Cruzeiro
That’s exactly why Cruzeiro pose such a threat — they have been ruthless from dead-ball situations. Their last two victories came courtesy of set plays. In the league, Matheus Pereira’s free-kick gave them a 1:0 win over São Paulo, before they saw off rivals Atlético Mineiro 2:0 in the Copa do Brasil. Forward Kaio Jorge has been clinical, leading both the Série A scoring charts with 15 goals and the cup tally with five. He struck twice in the Clássico Mineiro, both from set-piece routines.
Bahia vs Cruzeiro Prediction
Bahia are not far off Cruzeiro in terms of quality, and the home crowd in Salvador always adds an extra edge. But the club’s decision to sell their top scorer Luciano Rodríguez (13 goals across competitions) to Saudi Pro League newcomers NEOM for €20m has severely dented their attacking power. Cruzeiro, meanwhile, are consistent from free kicks and corners and look good value to score again.
