Preview: Atletico Mineiro vs. Bahia - prediction, team news, lineups

In-form Atletico Mineiro take on Bahia at Estadio Governador Magalhaes Pinto on Sunday looking to keep the pressure on Brasileiro leaders Palmeiras.

The hosts are seven games without defeat in all competitions, winning six of those, while Bahia enter this game on the back of successive defeats.

Match preview

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Mineiro will have minimal time to prepare for this match as their Copa Libertadores last-16 tie with Boca Juniors in midweek went the distance.

After playing out a goalless draw across the two legs, the White-and-Black pulled off a huge victory on penalties to keep their continental cup hopes alive.

The tie was overshadowed by unsavoury scenes after the match, in which players appeared to clash in the dressing room area, with police intervening and spraying tear gas.

Cuca's charges now have a quarter-final contest to look forward to against River Plate, but right now all focus is on the league and Sunday's visit of Bahia.

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Whereas Mineiro have won five on the spin in the Brasileiro to move within three points of leaders Palmeiras, Bahia have slipped down the division in recent weeks.

Dado Cavalcanti's side lost 1-0 to Bahia a fortnight ago and followed that up with a heavy 5-0 loss at home to Flamengo last time out, leaving them eighth in the table.

Gabriel Barbosa scored a hat-trick for Flamengo, while Pedro and Vitinho were also on target in the one-sided contest.

Bahia will be seeking a quick response to that big defeat, and they have a good recent record against Atletico Mineiro, going four matches without defeat in this fixture.

Team News

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Atletico remain without Guilherme Arana as he is away on Tokyo Olympics duty with Brazil, while Jair, Keno and Marrony are all nursing injuries.

Eduardo Vargas is another absentee for the hosts due to testing positive for coronavirus.

Cavalcanti is expected to make some changes on the back of the win against Boca Juniors, with the likes of Alan Franco, Eduardo Sasha and Guga all pushing for inclusion on Sunday.

As for the visitors, Jonas is back from suspension and should slot back into midfield alongside Patrick de Lucca and Matheus Galdezani.

However, Edson will play no part after picking up another yellow card last time out, while new signings Lucas Mugni and Hugo Rodallega are not yet ready to feature.

Atletico Mineiro possible starting lineup:

Everson; Guga, Nathan, Alonso, Dodo; Franco, Fernandez, Tche; Savarino, Hulk, Sasha

Bahia possible starting lineup:

Teixeira; Paraiba, Conti, Otavio, Bahia; Galdezani, De Lucca, Jonas; Rossi, Gilberto, Rodriguinho

We say: Atletico Mineiro 3-1 Bahia

Bahia have had a week to prepare for this game, whereas Atletico Mineiro had an eventful Libertadores clash with Boca Juniors in midweek that went the distance.

The penalty-shootout win against the Argentinian heavyweights kept the hosts' momentum going, though, and we can see them making it six league wins on the spin here.