Bahia — Santos : Match Preview and Prediction for August 24,2025

Bahia’s Red-Hot Form

Bahia enters this match on an absolute tear. Rogerio Ceni’s squad currently occupies fourth place in the league standings, boasting the longest unbeaten streak in the Brasileirão with eight consecutive matches. This impressive run isn’t a stroke of luck; it’s a testament to their powerful performances, particularly when playing at home.

Fortress Fonte Nova

The Arena Fonte Nova has proven to be an impenetrable fortress for Bahia. They have remained undefeated at home throughout the current Brasileirão season, holding the second-best home record in the entire league. Furthermore, their goal-scoring prowess at home in 2025 is unparalleled in global football, with an astonishing 61 goals in just 30 home fixtures – a statistic that truly speaks for itself.

Recent Victories and Team Strengths

In a recent Copa do Nordeste semi-final clash against Ceará, Bahia once again showcased their class with a commanding 1-0 victory. They asserted their dominance in ball possession, registered more shots on target, and confidently advanced to the final. This followed an impressive 2-1 away win against Corinthians, further solidifying their excellent form. Remarkably, Bahia remains undefeated against teams from São Paulo state this season, tallying four wins and three draws. A significant boost comes from the return of key midfielder Everton Ribeiro after suspension. While Caio Alexandre is sidelined due to injury, the coach has expressed confidence in Nicolás Acevedo as a capable replacement.

Santos in Turmoil

Santos arrives in Salvador engulfed in utter chaos. Their previous match was a complete disaster, a humiliating 0-6 thrashing by Vasco da Gama. This result proved to be the final straw: the manager was promptly sacked, and angry fans stormed the club’s training ground. This isn’t merely a poor performance; it’s a stark symptom of a deeply entrenched crisis.

Crippling Personnel Issues

The situation is further exacerbated by colossal personnel problems. Key player and team leader Neymar will miss the match due to suspension, compounded by a diagnosed thigh edema. And if that weren’t enough, the team’s top scorer this season, Guilherme, with 13 goals, has been omitted from the squad, reportedly overwhelmed by pressure from the fanbase.

Leadership Void and Dire Standings

The list of absentees grows with injured defender João Basso and defensive midfielder Willian Arão. The team will be led by interim coach Matheus Bachi, as the newly appointed manager, Juan Pablo Vojvoda, will only take charge after this fixture. Positioned precariously at 15th in the table, just one spot above the relegation zone, Santos currently appears completely disheveled and severely weakened.