Bahia vs Chapecoense-sc - Serie A

The Serie A returns to the home ground on July 17, 2026, where Bahia and Chapecoense-sc will lock horns in a contest that could shape their respective campaigns. Make it easier than ever to turn a regular fixture into something genuinely unforgettable.

In the Serie A table, Bahia currently occupy 5th and Chapecoense-sc sit 20th, and the context adds genuine weight to what is already an intriguing fixture. Bahia have been picking up results at a respectable clip, WWWDD over their last five with a season win rate of 42.31%. The visitors arrive short of confidence, LWLWD in their last five and a season win rate of just 11.54%. Where Bahia have leaned on defensive discipline, Chapecoense-sc have often taken the initiative going forward, and that stylistic difference should shape the contest. Central midfield remains a position Leeds are keen to add in despite so far failing to reach an agreement with Southampton for Shea Charles.

Wing play is likely to be central to the contest. Bahia will look to stretch the pitch and isolate their wide attackers, while Chapecoense-sc must find a way to compress the space and choke the supply lines. Andoni Iraola could not have been clearer about how he plans to change Liverpool when speaking in his opening press conference.

With K. Viveros leading the league's scoring charts at 18 goals, the contest is unlikely to be short of attacking intent. Set-piece specialists and aerial threats on both sides mean dead-ball situations could carry outsized importance. One of McInnes' decisions will likely be who starts up front in the absence of captain Lawrence Shankland and fellow striker Youssef Chermiti.

The market has yet to form a strong view, and the contest looks genuinely difficult to call. Given the balance of the numbers, Bahia should have enough to edge it — a 2-1 victory looks the most likely outcome. With positions in the Serie A table to defend and momentum to chase, neither side can afford to leave anything in the tank. And Fonseca does not place too much weight on the decision of Roberto Martinez to omit him from the World Cup squad in favour of his Benfica team-mate Tomas Araujo.