Bitesize Prediction: Flamengo vs Bahia – 21/06/24

Competition: Serie A

Market: Flamengo win

Odds: 7/10 @ BetUS

In what is a real showdown at the top of the Serie A table, Flamengo will welcome Bahia to the Maracana in the early hours of Friday.

Starting with the hosts, continuing on what has been a real purple patch since opening up the 2024 campaign, Flamengo have their sights firmly set on mounting a genuine title charge this season. Snatching a last-gasp 1-1 stalemate away at Athletico-PR last weekend, Tite’s men have suffered just a single defeat from any of their previous 10 straight appearances across all competitions – a run that stems back to May 8th. Likewise, mustering 19 points from their previous seven matchups across all formats, the Brazilian giants have also gained a fearsome reputation for their success on home soil. Booking their Copa Libertadores knockout stage spot last month as they cruised their way to a 3-0 win against Colombian outfit Millonarios, Flamengo have now won all of their previous five appearances at the Maracana by an aggregate score of 12-1. It should also be noted, Friday’s hosts have conceded just a single goal in front of their own supporters since the end of April.

As for the visitors, while Bahia might have found themselves at the heart of a Serie A relegation scrap last season, the Tricolor have embarked on a remarkable flurry this time around. Making a string of improvements since opening up the 2024 campaign and collecting 18 points from their first nine top-flight appearances, Rogerio Ceni’s men should find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. However, facing what will be a stern examination when they travel to Flamengo in the early hours of Friday, the former Sao Paulo boss has seen his squad win just one of their previous four matchups across all competitions. Crashing out of the Copa do Nordeste on May 26th after suffering penalties heartbreak at the hands of CRB, Bahia should also be concerned by a nightmare record at the Maracana. Including a 1-0 loss when they travelled to the title contenders last season, it should be highlighted that Ceni’s side have lost all of their previous six straight trips to Flamengo by an aggregate score of 17-5.

Bet: Flamengo 7/10 to beat Bahia in Friday’s Serie A showdown @ BetUS