Bahia will host Fortaleza at the Fonte Nova Arena on Friday for a round eight Brasileiro encounter, with the chance to go top of the league.

The home side will be hoping to inflict the visitors' first league defeat of the season, and they also have their sights set on claiming first place should current league leaders Flamengo drop points.

Match preview

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After a narrow escape from relegation last year, Bahia have started the season with a renewed vigour and a point to prove.

Since a season-opening defeat to Internacional, the Tricolor have remained unbeaten in the Brasileiro, picking up four wins and two draws in their current six-game unbeaten run.

Rogerio Ceni's men had to quickly shake off their penalty shootout defeat to CRB in the Copa do Nordeste. However, they could only manage a 1-1 draw with Atletico Mineiro after Ademir cancelled out Hulk's opener.

This result kept Bahia in second place with 14 points, tied on points with league leaders Flamengo but behind on goal difference.

A victory in October helped the Tricolor end a four-match winless run against their Friday opponents. Ceni will now hope his side can create a winning streak of their own in this fixture, with the possibility of ending the week top of the table a motivating factor.

The home side will be confident in their ability to deliver at the Fonte Nova Arena this season, boasting a perfect record of three wins from three league matches there.

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Fortaleza head into this encounter in high spirits after securing their third Copa do Nordeste title in their history. They emerged victorious 5-4 on penalties after a 2-2 aggregate draw across both legs of the final.

Leao do Pici entered the second leg with a 2-0 advantage but were held to a 2-0 defeat on the night before triumphing from the penalty spot.

Juan Pablo Vojvoda's side are one of only two teams still unbeaten in the league this season, alongside Atletico Mineiro. However, four consecutive draws between their opening day win over Sao Paulo and their last league outing (a 1-0 victory over Athletico Paranaense) have left them four points off the pace in 11th position.

With just one away win at Bahia in their history - which came in the Copa do Nordeste last year - the visitors risk losing their unbeaten streak in a stadium that has proven to be a difficult ground for them.

Team News

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Bahia have already lost Colombian right-back Santiago Arias to international duty, and he could potentially be away for over a month.

The hosts will also be without Thaciano who is suspended due to accumulated yellow cards, while Nicolas Acevedo is a long-term absentee with a severe knee injury.

After missing the last game, Victor Cuesta (knee) and Ryan Carlos (ankle) remain doubtful for the clash at Fonte Nova Arena.

Fortaleza will remain without the midfield duo Calebe and Marinho, who are ruled out until the end of June with thigh issues.

Benjamin Kuscevic and Tomas Cardona were the favoured centre-back pairing against Athletico PR and should retain their spots.

Bahia possible starting lineup:
Felipe; Arias, Xavier, Kanu, Luciano; Alexandre, Ribeiro, Lucas, Sauzo; Thaciano, Everaldo

Fortaleza possible starting lineup:
Ricardo; Tinga, Kuscevic, Cardona, Jonatan; Augusto, Hercules, Lopes, Martinez, Machuca; Kayzer

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We say: Bahia 2-1 Fortaleza

Despite digging deep to get results in previous matches, Fortaleza could fall short this time as they are coming up against a side that have been perfect on home soil and they are visiting a ground that has always haunted them.


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