Fortaleza vs Bahia Prediction: The Hairdryer Treatment Is Long Overdue For The Fortaleza Lions. Consider Victory For The Guests.

Prediction for the Brasilerio Betano game between Fortaleza and Bahia, which will be held at the Estadio Placido Castelao. Despite what looks like a strict history of contention for Fortaleza [against Bahia], a couple of poor pitch decisions this season now see them in the 19th league spot, while Bahia who have exercised caution - to only have lost three games - will play from the fourth spot. 

A preview of the game team statistics, emerging lineup, and several betting options are available below.

🏠Fortaleza: Form and Statistics

Last Five Matches: LLLLL

The Fortaleza Lions have been hammered in their last five league games, which registered four defeats over five consecutive match-week schedules. Currently, the fans are enraged, and demand for a turnaround from the management who promised greener outcomes when the campaign began in March.

The 1-0 loss to Ceara - after the previous close shave against Santos(3-2) indicates how sloppy their last lines are, in a game that could have ended 3-0 if not for two awarded penalties, which could not save them. 

Fortaleza has flunked through all recent tournaments they have featured in - The Copa Betano, and the Libertadores inclusive, which has registered piss-poor results. 

Fortaleza’s home form has explicitly shown how less of a threat they have been to the visitors primarily due to their defensive wretchedness. Unless something is done about the defensive situation, victory at full time looks like a far cry. 

🏁Fortaleza: Lineup

Team: Defensively, something is terribly wrong with the defensive lines of the Lions, who have fumbled the last five games. Last week, Coach Juan continued to experiment with the lineups, with the 4-4-2 against Ceara helping to close the midfield, which eventually slipped to a 1-nil yield. There is speculation that he retains this lineup against Bahia, who seem to have gotten everything right so far. 

Players: Ex-Chelsea defensive veteran, David Luiz, Emmanuel Britez and Bruno Pacheco all risk missing the next match if they concede warning cards in this game. Something has been done about the man between the sticks, as Brennan seems to be an improvement over Joao Ricardo.

Predicted Lineup (4-4-2): Brenno, Britez-Kuscevic-Barbosa-Avila, Martinez-Pereira-Sasha-Lopes, Lucero-Pochettino.

Head Coach: Juan Pablo Vojvoda

⛔ Out: Gustavo Mancha picked an injury last week, and will be sidelined today with a high probability of being replaced by Diogo Barbosa. injury-prone Moises, who has faced injury twice [and is beginning to look like a poor bargain] is also out.

✈️Bahia: Form and Statistics

Last Five Matches: WLWWW

Bahia’s Tricolors have been strong over the recent weeks, bagging twelve points from the last five games which registered victory on four occasions, and a loss. 

Confidence festers in the camp, who have celebrated through their last three games against Sao Paulo (2-1), RB Bragantino (3-0) and Atletico-MG (2-1). As it stands, victory against Fortaleza guarantees a clear peek at the top spots. 

On the road, they have a reasonable rate of goal concession, even if they lost one of the last two games (0-1 against Gremio) and won against Bragantino (3-0).

🏁Bahia: Lineup

Team: The Bahiaco, as they have been called fondly by the fans, have impressed greatly so far, with only three losses in thirteen games. Bahia’s key strategy has been consistently noted for bruteness in the first half, tiring out the opponents in the second half, which usually plays out in their favour. The only downside to this tactic so far, has to be care against fouls, as the team - heavy on injuries cannot risk more players to suspension-related fouls.

Players: The first half was a drag for the side in the game against Atletico MG, which went goalless, but with a lot of cautions and cards. William Jose must be cautioned before he suffers another yellow card. More is expected from Right-back Juba, who was excellent last week. 

🔖 Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Felipe, Giberto-Duarte-Mingo-Juba, Alexandre-Lucas, Ademir-Ribeiro-Pulga, Jose

👤 Head Coach: Rogério Ceni

⛔ Out: Kanu, Andre Dhominique, Erick, Rezende. 

🤝Fortaleza vs Bahia Head-to-Head Statistics

The last ten meetings between the sides produced five Bahia victories, one stalemate and four Fortaleza victories. The two sides met last in the Copa do Nordeste, in the three-goal thriller that saw Bahia win 2-1 at fulltime. 

📈 Fortaleza vs Bahia Betting Trends

• Fortaleza scored one goal in the last meeting. Bet on the hosts to score at least one goal at 1.36 odds with 1xbet;
• The Under 3.5 goal option played out in the last direct meeting. You can pick this choice at 1.22 odds from Betway;
• The Home/Away option has played out consistently between these sides in four games. Bet on this pick at 1.36 odds from Bet365;
• Bahia have scored at least one goal in their last two away matches. Pick the Away over 0.5 choice at 1.39 odds from 1xbet

🎯 Fortaleza vs Bahia Match Prediction 17 July 2025

For a side like Fortaleza that has not relished victory in quite some time, meeting Bahia twice in two weeks is a huge ordeal, as defeat threatens for the second time. The visitors, although better on paper, cannot confidently beat their chests to a straight victory against the hosting Lions.

Below are my best predictions:

🔥 My prediction is for the Away /Draw and Under 3.5 goal option. This is due to the fact that Bahia recognizes the disadvantage they face at the Castelao and will approach the first half, their stronger half, with caution. This choice is for 1.80 odds from 1xbet.

🔥 The next is for the two sides to find the scoring, as they did in the Copa do Nordeste, which only produced one goal for Fortaleza. If Bahia initiates scoring, Fortaleza will have to fight hard to even feature on the scoreboard, despite pitch familiarity. Betway tips the opinion of a BTTS-Yes at a coefficient of 1.92 odds.

🔥 Lastly, Bahia is a more balanced side - compared to the trial-and-error approach still employed by the hosting outfit Fortaleza. As such, the better option is awin for the visitors. This is the option with the highest risk of occurrence, and reward. The Bet365 bookmaker tips this choice at 2.75 odds.