Preview:Bahia vs Juventude - prediction, team news, lineups

Having recently seen their six-game unbeaten streak come to an end, Bahia will entertain the challenge of Juventude at the Arena Fonte Nova on Sunday evening in round 17 of the 2025 Brasileiro season.

While the feeling of losing would have felt a bit strange for the hosts last time out, the visitors have become accustomed to that sinking feeling of defeat nowadays, having suffered a seventh defeat in nine matches last time out.

Match preview

Bahia have enjoyed a fine domestic campaign so far but will now have to pick themselves up from their recent continental heartbreak, as they were knocked out of the Copa Sudamericana on Wednesday owing to a 2-0 defeat to America De Cali.

That was a first defeat since early June for Rogerio Ceni's men, who sit sixth in the Brasileiro table after playing out a 1-1 stalemate against Fortaleza in their most recent league outing.

This weekend's game is the second of three straight league matches against teams currently in the bottom three for Maior do Nordeste, who will be keen to capitalise on a favourable run of games.

Since losing their first-ever meeting against Juventude, Bahia are unbeaten in six of the subsequent seven clashes, although that solitary defeat did come in the most recent encounter back in November.

One of five teams in the division yet to lose a home league game this season, Sunday's hosts should be confident of getting the job done in front of their fans before taking on lower league opposition Retro in a cup clash three days later.

Two wins and a defeat from the opening three matches represented a bright start for Juventude, especially when you consider the fact that their only loss came to defending champions Botafogo.

However, Claudio Tencati's men were comprehensively thrashed 6-0 by Flamengo in their fourth outing, which has since set the tone for a downward spiral.

The Alviverde have lost all but three of their last 11 matches, picking up just five points from a possible 33 off the back of Thursday's 1-0 defeat at the hands of Sao Paulo.

Unsurprisingly, Juventude currently find themselves in the relegation zone, although they are just three points adrift of safety ahead of their upcoming trip to Salvador.

With a division-high 29 goals conceded, Sunday's visitors must simply tighten up at the back, else they risk dropping down to the second tier.

Juventude's upcoming assignment features two sides who have been susceptible to late goals, with a combined 11 goals conceded between the teams in the final 15 minutes of matches this term, meaning that a late twist could be on the cards this weekend.

Bahia Brasileiro form:

Bahia form (all competitions):

Juventude Brasileiro form:

Team News

Erick and Kanu are confirmed absentees for Bahia as they continue to nurse hamstring and muscle injuries respectively.

Rezende has not featured for the home side since May 11 due to a back injury, although the defender is drawing increasingly closer to a return to action.

Since returning from an injury layoff, Caique Goncalves has featured in eight straight matches for Juventude but is ruled out for Sunday's game through a one-game suspension alongside Marcos Paulo.

Gilberto's disciplinary lapses mean he is also ineligible to feature, denying him the opportunity of facing off against his former employers.

Rafael Bilu (knee) is unavailable for the visitors, who are already without Rodrigo Sam, Cipriano and Ewerthon.

Bahia possible starting lineup:

Felipe; Juba, Ramos, Duarte, Gilberto; Ribeiro, Lucas, Alexandre; Pulga, Rodriguez, Ademir

Juventude possible starting lineup:

Gustavo; Hermes, Abner, Angel, Reginaldo; Mandaca, Jadson, Nene; Veron, Babi, Batalla

We say: Bahia 3-1 Juventude

Neither team has been solid defensively of late, which should give rise to a highly absorbing affair. Nonetheless, we fully expect Bahia to see off their visitors in a relatively comfortable manner.

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