Santos FC SP
- Santos FC SP may have more to lose in Sunday's Serie A 2026 encounter with EC Bahia, but it will be visitors who have more of the ball in what will be a classic clash of styles.
- Cuca has been working with Santos since 20th March 2026, but he has not yet been able to instill a lot of attacking flair into a side that are safety first in all areas of the pitch.
- A 2-2 home draw with Flamengo RJ and 2-1 defeat at Atletico Mineiro have seen Santos continue to look for their chances on the counterattack and from set-pieces with Cuca's side not yet having developed the conviction to take the game to opponents.
- The hosts haven't won their last home game against Bahia and there is a little bit of pressure on them to secure the victory.
Bahia
- Bahia are 6th in Serie A 2026 with 49 points from 30 games, they are a more steady side than Santos who are 9th with 42 points.
- Bahia have won six of their 15 away games in Serie A 2026, losing only five and drawing the other four, so they should have enough to get a result in this game.
- Bahia, who play with a controlled press and build up the majority of their attacks from the ball, may find it tough to break down their opponents' compact shape.
- But the Tricolor Baiano, who are directed by Rogério Ceni since September 2023, have the energy and personnel to be the side on the front foot throughout the match.
Head-to-Head
- A 2-2 tie in Bahia in the last head-to-head shows these two clubs are capable of trading blows without either being able to pull away from each other, which could be what happens at Vila Belmiro.
- The hosts haven't won their last home game against Bahia and there is a little bit of pressure on them to secure the victory.
Key Players
- Gabriel Barbosa has scored five goals in his last five games, which is part of the eight goals Santos have scored during that run, while Luciano Juba has three in Bahia's last five.
- But with Santos having two wins, one draw and two defeats in their last five, while Bahia have three wins and two defeats, neither side are in great form so it is hard to get too excited about their chances of winning this clash.
- Bahia beat Mirassol 1-0 at home to respond to a couple of defeats on the road against Athletico Paranaense and Palmeiras, but the Tricolor are yet to completely convince on their travels, so there is enough evidence to suggest this will be a tight encounter.
Betting Insights
- Bahia are available at around 2.94 for the win, which looks slightly better value than the odds on Santos which are 2.28.
- There is no value in the goals markets for a draw, but Both teams to score at 1.62 looks like a lively play if this game does open up.
- A 2-2 tie in Bahia in the last head-to-head shows these two clubs are capable of trading blows without either being able to pull away from each other, which could be what happens at Vila Belmiro.
Prediction
- Santos FC SP may have more to lose in Sunday's Serie A 2026 encounter with EC Bahia, but it will be the visitors who have more of the ball in what will be a classic clash of styles.
- Bahia will try to make Santos chase the game, but they are capable of keeping the hosts at arm's length if they are not in top form themselves.
- But with Santos having two wins, one draw and two defeats in their last five, while Bahia have three wins and two defeats, neither side are in great form so it is hard to get too excited about their chances of winning this clash.
