Bahia host Gremio in the first leg of their quarter-final clash in the Copa do Brasil on Wednesday.
The two sides met in the Brasileiro at the weekend, with Gremio winning 2-1 at Fonte Nova Arena.
Match preview
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Having never won Brazil's main domestic cup, Bahia will be determined to inflict revenge on Gremio by progressing to the final four at their expense.
After bouncing back to Brazil's top flight at the first attempt by finishing third in Serie B last season, Bahiaco have endured a reasonably difficult start to the current campaign, with their defeat to Gremio on Saturday leaving them only one point above the relegation zone.
Former Independiente del Valle boss Renato Paiva was drafted in as the club's manager at the beginning of 2023, and he would have been satisfied with his side seemingly grinding out a point against their in-form opponents, but Gustavo Martins had other ideas by snatching all three points in the fifth minute of injury time.
As such, the 53-year-old and his players may be grateful to switch their attention to a different competition in midweek, having defeated Santos on penalties to reach this stage. They should have learned plenty of tough lessons from conceding so late, and will be excited about the prospect of winning this trophy for the first time in the club's history.
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Gremio, on the other hand, have lifted the Copa do Brasil on five occasions during their illustrious history, with only Cruzeiro winning this competition more times than them.
Like their forthcoming opponents, Gremio were also promoted last season after finishing as runners-up in Serie B, having been relegated for only the third time in their history in 2021.
However, under the guidance of club legend Renato Gaucho - who is enjoying his fourth spell at the club after returning last September - they have taken to the top tier like a duck to water, with Martins' late winner confirming their sixth win in seven league games, and keeping them in second spot in Serie A in the process.
Gaucho, who has won the Copa Libertadores with Gremio as both a player and a manager, will be determined to see his players return to Porto Alegre with a positive result from Wednesday's cup tie, knowing that they will have home advantage on their side in the return leg.
Team News
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Bahia have several injury concerns at present, with Danilo Fernandes, David Duarte, Biel, Vitor Jacare, Matheus Bahia, Yago Felipe and Raul Gustavo all unlikely to be available in midweek.
Pavia could recall Ademir to his starting XI after only utilising him from the bench during his side's agonising defeat to Gremio at the weekend, with the 28-year-old potentially lining up on the opposite flank to the club's star man Kayky.
Gremio, meanwhile, appear likely to travel without Everton Galdino, Fabio da Silva, Pepe, Jhonata Robert and Pedro Geromel due to their own injury problems.
Gaucho may bring Ferreira back into the fold after the 25-year-old recovered from recent knee issues to appear from the bench against Bahia last time out, with the winger forming a fearsome attacking triumvurate alongside Franco Cristaldo and former Barcelona striker Luis Suarez.
Bahia possible starting lineup:
Marcos; Cicinho, Santos, Hugo, Ryan; Kayky, Acevedo, Miranda, Ademir; Souza, Mingotti
Gremio possible starting lineup:
Grando; Pedro, Martins, Uvini, Kannemann, Reinaldo; Ferreira, Villasanti, Carballo, Cristaldo; Suarez
We say: Bahia 1-1 Gremio
In truth, there was little to split these two teams in the league meeting at Bahia's ground at the weekend, and we can envisage Gremio being more content to settle for a draw given that they will still have the second leg to come at Arena do Gremio next week.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Brett Curtis
