Bahia and Flamengo meet on Sunday at 18h30 in the 31ª rodada of the Campeonato Brasileiro at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, with the match carrying weight at both ends of the title race conversation.
Bahia enters the game after a win over Mirassol and with 49 points, while Flamengo arrives with little rest after Thursday's 0 a 0 draw with Estudiantes in the first leg of the Libertadores semifinal. The timing matters for both teams, but especially for Flamengo, which needs a win to return to first place after Palmeiras beat Athletico-PR on Saturday and took the lead.
Flamengo's list of absences
Flamengo will be without five players for the trip to Salvador. The absences add another layer of difficulty for a team already dealing with a short turnaround after its continental match.
For Bahia, the return of Acevedo gives Rogério Ceni another option, and there is also a chance of changes at right-back. That detail may matter in a match where the margins are tight and the points are important.
What is at stake
Bahia is trying to protect its place in the direct Libertadores zone, while Flamengo is still chasing the top of the league table. With both teams having clear goals and limited time to prepare, Sunday's meeting at Arena Fonte Nova should have immediate table implications.
The game will be broadcast by Premiere.
