The farewell of the veteran defender Lugano ended up robbing the scene of the confrontation between Sao Paulo and Bahia that closes this Sunday, December 3, the participation of the teams in the Brazilian Championship edition 2018. The teams will enter the field, from 17h (Brasília time ), in Morumbi, with the mission fulfilled.
The recent performance of São Paulo
The Tricolor Paulista went through many scares and turbulence throughout the year. He came to be a regular frequenter of the relegation zone, but got a reaction capable of ruling out the possibility for the first time in his history to dispute Serie B of Brasileirão.
With 49 points (13 wins, 10 draws and 14 losses), the Morumbi club occupies the twelfth position in the Brazilian Championship. It is guaranteed to compete in the 2018 edition of the South American Cup. Something beyond expected in the face of the serious crisis that hit the club, which promoted a complete overhaul of the cast throughout the season.
In the most positive scenario, Sao Paulo could even reach the eighth place, which would yield a place in the Copa Libertadores of America. Such a possibility, however, is small, since it requires not only the triumph of Botafogo, Chapecoense and Atlético-MG. The combination is highly unlikely.
For this reason, coach Dorival Júnior emptied any optimistic or hopeful speech toward achieving greater goals. Thus, ended up using the game this Sunday as a way to honor the defender Lugano, one of the idols of the tricolor fans. As the athlete’s contract with the club will be terminated and December and the renewal was discarded, he has been promoted as a starter so he can make his farewell.
The probable team for the match is Sidão, Éder Militão, Lugano, Rodrigo Caio and Edimar; Jucilei and Petros; Shaylon, Marcos Guilherme and Cueva; Brenner.
The current form of Bahia
Returning from Serie B this season, staying in Serie A was Bahia’s goal from the start. The club also had moments of great turbulence in this battle. He had four coaches throughout the year, but he managed an evolution in the final stretch, already under the direction of Paulo César Carpegianni, who not only guaranteed his presence in the elite in the national soccer as he allowed a flirt with the vacancy in the Copa Libertadores of America.
However, the two defeats in the last rounds for Sport and Chapecoense, both by 1 to 0, practically ended this possibility. Also with 49 points (13 wins, 10 draws and 14 losses). In eleventh place, it is in the same situation as São Paulo. To get a place in the main club tournament of the continent needs the married victory with stumbling of all the teams that are ahead of him on the leaderboard. Possible, but unlikely.
The likely team to start is Jean, Eder, Tiago, Thiago Martins and Juninho Capixaba; Edson, Renê Júnior, Allione, Régis and Mendoza; Edigar June.
History of the bouts between São Paulo and Bahia
Bahia’s 2-1 victory in the first round of the Brasileirão 2017 marked the thirtieth match between the three sides in the tournament. Each team has 11 successes and draws were eight.
It is no mere coincidence that Sao Paulo and Bahia present the same score. Teams have very similar characteristics. They fight to have possession of the ball most of the time, take risks in search of the attack and fail with constancy in the defense.
The choice of Lugano clearly indicates that the team from São Paulo does not treat mourning as important. Thus, the guess in Bahia seems to be the best option. Successful visitor allows multiplying by 5.00 the capital invested in Rivalo. Draw pays 3.50 and successful boss earns 1.75 per real invested.
