Preview: Bahia vs. Gremio - prediction, team news, lineups

Bahia will attempt to bounce back from a 2-1 defeat to Fluminense when they welcome Gremio to the Itaipava Arena Fonte Nova on Saturday.

The visitors, meanwhile, will head into the Brasileiro fixture in confident mood after winning their last two matches.

Match preview

© Reuters

After ending a six-game winless run with a 1-0 victory over Palmeiras, Bahia would have entered their away game against Fluminese in high spirits.

Everything seemed to be going according to plan when Vinicius Mingotti gave his side the lead in the 28th minute, but goals from Lele and Gabriel Pirani ensured that Bahia left the Maracana empty-handed.

With 12 points to their name from as many matches, Renato Paiva's side are currently sitting in 14th place in the Brasileiro table.

They are now preparing for a busy period where they will face Gremio in three of their next four fixtures, two of which will take place in the Copa do Brasil quarter-finals.

Having picked up five points from their last three home matches, Bahia will be looking to extend their unbeaten home run to four league games.

© Reuters

Gremio, meanwhile, head into the weekend in second position after picking up 23 points from their opening 12 Brasiliero games.

After their six-game unbeaten run was ended by a heavy 3-0 defeat to Flamengo, Gremio have bounced back to claim consecutive victories.

America Mineiro were dispatched via a 3-1 scoreline, and Gremio secured another comfortable win over Coritiba in their most recent outing.

Franco Cristaldo opened the scoring from the penalty spot, before Mathias Villasanti, Bitello, Luis Suarez and Andre Henrique all found the net to wrap up a 5-1 victory.

Gremio are now the joint second-highest scorers in the top flight with 22 goals to their name, and they will be hoping to utilise their firepower in Saturday's contest.

Team News

© Reuters

Matheus Bahia, Raul Gustavo, Yago Felipe, Biel and Vitor Jacare are all set to miss out for the hosts through injury.

Fluminense loanee Marcos Felipe was ineligible to face his parent club last weekend, but the goalkeeper will return to the side for Saturday's contest.

Mingotti, who joined the club in April, will retain his place in the lineup after scoring his first goal for Bahia in the 2-1 defeat to Fluminense.

As for the visitors, they will have to contend with a lengthy injury list, which includes Everton Galdino, Pepe, Diego Souza and Jhonata Robert.

They are also unable to call upon the services of Fabio and Pedro Geromel, who are both sidelined with knee injuries.

Suarez will have the chance to score in a third consecutive game when he leads the line after finding the net against America MG and Cortitiba.

Bahia possible starting lineup:

Felipe; Cicinho, Kanu, Hugo, Chaves; Rezende, Acevedo; Kayky, Cauly, Thaciano; Mingotti

Gremio possible starting lineup:

Grando; Pedro, Uvini, Kannemann, Reinaldo; Villasanti, Carballo; Bitelo, Cristaldo, Vina; Suarez

We say: Bahia 1-1 Gremio

Bahia have drawn two of their last three home league games, and we think that they will settle for a point when they face a Gremio side who have lost just one of their previous seven Brasileiro matches.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.