Serie B prediction and pre-match guide: Cruzeiro odds-on favoured to overcome Bahia

These teams have little in common geographically as Bahia have to travel 1400 kilometers to reach their opponents. The trip home will be especially long if the match ends in defeat.

It’s busy days for these teams as both were in action only a few days ago. There’s no rest for the wicked, or in this case; no rest for Cruzeiro and Bahia.

Cruzeiro form and stats

This stadium, Estádio Governador Magalhães Pinto, has been a fortress for Cruzeiro in the Serie B so far this season with the win-draw-loss statistic 9-0-0.

The home team returns to Estádio Governador Magalhães Pinto after drawing with CSA (placed 17th) on their last time out; the game ended 1-1. Henrique, who usually features in attack, was the champion performer for the side in that match, earning a rating of 8.12 (out of 10). Henrique scored one goal and hit two key passes.

Previous to that game, a home match hosting Novorizontino in a game that was won 2-1.

The hosts are modest favourites in this match, with the bookmakers estimating the chance of a home win at about 50% +- five percent. It's interesting to look at how Cruzeiro have performed under similar circumstances, so here are some numbers: When modest favourites like this (we found 8 games) they have won 1 time, drawn 5 and lost 2.

Trouble hitting the net? Looking at this club's last 19 league games, 16 have produced two goals or less.

The Cruzeiro fans have had their share of opportunities to cheer home goals this season, having seen 15 goals in 9 league matches. As for guarding their own goal, Cruzeiro have only let in 2 goals at home. It's worth mentioning that 2 of these goals has been conceded in their last three home matches.

Bahia form and stats

As the visiting team in Serie B matches, Bahia have produced an overall stat of 4-2-3 so far.

Bahia played 1-1 against CRB in their previous match. Attacker Nascimento got a player rating of 7.83 in the game. "Man of the match" Nascimento hit three key passes and dribled past the opponent 2 of 2 times.

Ahead of that match was the victory versus Guarani at their stadium, the result 2-0.

We have checked recent matches where Bahia have had similar odds to win. Win-draw-lose statistics from those 7 games were 0 victories, 2 draws and 5 defeats.

Low-scoring game? 10 of this side's most recent 11 league matches have had two or less goals.

Many goals are not expected from the visiting Bahia as they have only managed to score 8 times from 9 away games in the league. It's worth mentioning that 5 of these goals has been scored in their last three away matches. It's not easy to score on Bahia as they have only conceded 5 goals from these away games.

Head 2 Head

The squads have faced each other already this season, with the final score Bahia - Cruzeiro 2-0 entered in the official records. Head to head totals (for the preceeding ten meetings): Cruzeiro won three games, four matches ended with a tie and Bahia have three wins. Over 2,5 goals / under 2,5 goals: three / seven The games between these clubs sometimes lean towards being a bit rough, having seen 7 red cards from the last ten duels.

Top Goalscorers

H. Rodallega Martínez 4 goals

L. da Silva Santos 1 goals

P. de Lucca Chaves de Oliveira 1 goals

Cruzeiro missing players

Bahia missing players