Battling for a place in the knockout rounds of this year's Copa Libertadores, two Brazilian sides will clash in Porto Alegre on Wednesday night, as Internacional play host to Bahia.
Second-placed Inter are one point clear of their compatriots in Group F, with just the top two going through, so they only need a home draw to progress.
Match preview
© Imago
With nine points on the board coming into the final matchday, Colombia's Atletico Nacional lead Group F and are favourites to advance as group winners, leaving one qualifying spot available. Internacional are best placed to join them, as they only need to avoid defeat at Estadio Beira-Rio in order to reach the knockout phase.
Twice winners of the Copa Libertadores - most recently in 2010 - Inter are intent on going all the way this season, and beating Nacional 2-0 earlier this month took them one step closer. Ricardo Mathias and Braian Aguirre both scored in Montevideo, putting Roger Machado's men on eight points and within touching distance of the last 16.
Since suffering three straight defeats to start May, Inter are undefeated in their last four games across all competitions, though Sunday's 1-1 draw with Sport Recife left them a lowly 14th in the Campeonato Brasileiro.
While the Porto Alegre club trail Bahia by four points in the early Serie A standings, they will go into Wednesday's contest having lost just one of 32 home games in the Libertadores group stage this century, winning no fewer than 25.
After losing the first two clashes during the 1989 edition, Inter are also unbeaten through the teams' last three meetings in South America's top club competition.
© Imago
Bahia came close to toppling their rivals in April's reverse fixture at Arena Fonte Nova, as Jean Lucas put them ahead deep into the second half; however, Inter's veteran striker Enner Valencia then struck back with 84 minutes on the clock.
Having accrued six points from their other four matches, Tricolor de Aco sit third in Group F and are therefore on course to drop into the Copa Sudamericana.
Rogerio Ceni's side lost away to leaders Atletico Nacional last time out in the Libertadores, and that 1-0 defeat could prove crucial unless they can cause an upset this week.
Currently part of the worldwide City Group, Bahia have won the Brazilian title twice - pipping Pele's Santos team in 1959, then beating Inter in the 1988 final - but they have never been beyond the quarters of CONMEBOL's top tournament.
Sunday's 1-0 loss to Gremio - which saw them slip to seventh in the Brasileiro standings - made it three straight away losses across all competitions, so they are facing long odds to go further this year.
Team News
© Imago
Though Internacional are set to be without star striker Enner Valencia and goalkeeper Sergio Rochet for Wednesday's game, Roger Machado has indicated that Rafael Borre will be available after recovering from a thigh injury.
A similar issue forced off teenage forward Ricardo Mathias in the first half of Inter's draw with Sport, so Borre's return is timely.
If risked from the start, the Colombian could be supported by Alan Patrick up front. The latter is joint-top scorer in the 2025 Copa Libertadores with five goals, and he will now look to equal a club record of six in one campaign.
Meanwhile, Bahia's most prolific player in this term's competition has been midfielder Jean Lucas, who has scored three times so far. Once again, Uruguayan striker Luciano Rodriguez should lead their attack.
Persistently hit by injuries this season, the visitors will be without several players for their visit to Beira-Rio.
Notably, Erick has just undergone thigh surgery, Kanu is sidelined by a calf problem, while Ademir Santos is still on the treatment table due to a muscular issue.
Internacional possible starting lineup:
Anthoni; Aguirre, Vitao, Gabriel, Bernabei; Ronaldo, Maia; Prado, Patrick, Tabata; Borre
Bahia possible starting lineup:
Marcos; Arias, Duarte, Ramos, Juba; Ribeiro, Alexandre, Lucas; Souza, Pulga; Rodriguez
We say: Internacional 2-2 Bahia
There could be at least one late twist in this game, as Bahia have scored all of their Libertadores goals in the second half this season, while Internacional have netted the joint-most of any side during the final 10 minutes.
Given home advantage, inconsistent Inter should have just enough gas in the tank to deny their domestic rivals and reach the last 16.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Jonathan O'Shea
