Preview: Coritiba vs. Bahia - prediction, team news, form guide

Bahia will be looking to make it three victories on the spin in the Brazilian top flight on Monday when they take on Coritiba.

The visitors have defeated Botafogo and Fortaleza in their last two matches to climb up to ninth, five points better off than Coritiba, who have won one of their last four games.

Match preview

After beating Botafogo with a dramatic 99th-minute penalty from Rodriguinho last week, Bahia were again grateful for a spot kick - this time converted by Gilberto - in their victory over Fortaleza last time out.

It is now three wins in their last four games for Mano Menezes's side, who are currently in a Copa Sudamericana qualifying spot but will be looking up at the top six, which means a place in the Copa Libertadores second round.

Bahia are competing in the Sudamericana this term and have a two-legged last-16 tie with Argentinian side Santa Fe to come over the next few weeks, the home leg of which is scheduled for November 24.

Before then, the Tricolor have a couple more league matches and the aim will be to maintain their momentum and climb the table as they look to improve on last season's 11th-placed finish.

Opponents Coritiba, who have been heavily hit by a coronavirus outbreak in the camp, are more concerned about staying above the relegation zone in what is their first season back in the top tier of Brazilian football.

Despite their long list of absentees, Jorginho's men drew 2-2 with Internacional in their most recent match - Sabino scoring 16 minutes from time to snatch a solid point against the division's top-placed side.

That came on the back of a 1-0 win over Atletico Goianiense, so the hosts have some momentum of their own ahead of this clash with Bahia.

However, they are level on points with Botafogo, who occupy the final relegation spot and have a game in hand to play.

Having spent the vast majority of the campaign in the bottom four, the challenge for Jorginho and his players over the remaining 18 matchdays is to stay afloat.

Another positive result on Monday will see them go a long way to achieving that target, though top-six chasing Bahia will have other ideas.

Coritiba Brasileiro form: DWLLWD

Bahia Brasileiro form: LDWLWW Bahia form (all competitions): WLLWWW

Team News

Coritiba

Out: Matheus Galdezani (coronavirus), Nathan Silva (coronavirus), Alex Muralha (coronavirus), Patrick de Oliveira (coronavirus), Matheus Bueno (coronavirus), Rafinha (ankle)

Bahia

Out: Joao Pedro (knee), Ernando (muscle)

We say: Coritiba 0-2 Bahia

Bahia's return to form has come at the right time as they balance two competitions, with a Sudamericana last-16 tie on the horizon.

The visitors have won three games in a row in all competitions, keeping a clean sheet in two of those, and we can see them maintaining both of those runs on Monday.

Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:data