This match is very important for both teams. Bahia and Santos didn’t started the new season according to the expectations, and sit on the 13th place (Bahia) and 15th place (Santos). Both sides have 8 points so far, but the goal difference separates them. Bahia will not play this match on their stadium as Itaipava Arena Fonte Nova is preparing for the upcoming World Cup.
Bahia home form is far from ideal. They have played four matches and have only one win, with two defeats and one draw. Coach Marquinhos Santos will be missing six players for this match as Diego Macedo, Lincoln, Omar, Rafael Galhardo, Rhayner and Wilson Pittoni are all injured.
Santos have two draws and one defeat on the last three matches in Serie A. However, something else is important for my pick – two of the mentioned three games have ended with Over 2.5 goals. Here are the results:
25.05.2014. Santos – Flamengo 0:0 23.05.2014. Goias – Santos 2:2 18.05.2014. Santos – Atletico MG 1:2
The coach Oswaldo de Oliveira has enormous problems for this match. Alan Santos, Edu Dracena, Emerson, Gabriel, Gustavo Henrique, Leandro Damiao, Rildo and Thiago Ribeiro are out injured, Mena is with the Chilean national team, while David Braz and Geuvanio are suspended.
The last mutual game between these two teams have finished with 3:0 Santos win (14.11.2013). I expect another high scoring match. Over 2.5 goals is my pick.