Bahia vs Athletico Paranaese Predictions

• Athletico Paranaense have gone unbeaten in their last nine games across Serie A and the Copa Libertadores, winning six.
• Bahia are third in Serie B, but have suffered four defeats, all to nil, in their last nine games.
• The visitors have only conceded 13 Serie A goals in 2022 – only top two Palmeiras and Corinthians have better records.

Serie A’s surprise package primed for cup run

Having finished 14th in Serie A last time, Athletico Paranaense are flying high in third place after a nine-match unbeaten run, of which the Furacao have won six. That run has coincided with last month’s appointment of Luiz Felipe Scolari as technical director and interim coach, and the 2002 World Cup winner looks set to continue his fine impact when his side travel to Bahia.

The visitors have conceded just 13 league goals in 2022, giving them a better record than all but Palmeiras and Corinthians in the top flight, and four of those came in one comprehensive early-season loss at Santos, long before Scolari took charge. Being within four points of the country’s finest despite only averaging one goal per game in Serie A suggests the new boss has instilled a strong defensive resolve, which should serve them well in this cup tie.

Two-time Brazilian champions Bahia are contending with a series of other big names including Cruzeiro, Gremo and Vasco da Gama for promotion from the second tier, siting third with 25 points from their 13 games this term. However, four defeats in their last nine games represents something of a wobble, and their poor attacking record suggests they may struggle to break through against the Serie A outfit; Bahia have only scored 15 goals in 13 second-tier games, all but three of which have contained under 2.5 goals, and all of those four losses were to nil.

Back visitors to begin tie with a shutout win

Given the fine defensive record of Scolari’s men as well as the below-par attacking returns of Bahia (even when playing at a lower level), we’re tipping the visitors to win to nil in Salvador.

A 1-0 win for Athletico Paranaense looks a good correct score play, with all of Bahia’s defeats this term coming by that scoreline.