Bahia welcome Chapecoense to the Arena Fonte Nova on 17 July 2026 sitting sixth with 26 points from 17 games, two points off the Libertadores places, whereas Chapecoense are 20th with nine points and fighting to avoid the drop. Rogério Ceni has been in the job since September 2023 while Rafael Lacerda only took charge at Chapecoense in late May 2026 after Fábio Matias was let go, meaning the two managers have yet to face each other in competitive football.
Bahia come in with a mixed recent run: a 2 1 win over Botafogo, a 3 2 loss at Coritiba, a 1 1 draw with Grêmio and a Copa do Brasil exit against Remo, though their home form has been a different matter. Chapecoense have managed just one win in their last five, drawing against Mirassol and losing to Cruzeiro and Palmeiras, having yet to win away from home this campaign.
Bahia are without Luciano Juba (thigh, out until late July), Iago (muscle), Ruan Pablo (ankle sprain) and Léo Vieira (knee ligament), though their first choice shape is not significantly disrupted. Chapecoense's squad picture is harder to read after multiple managerial changes in 2026, with Lacerda only a few weeks into the role.
Ceni sets Bahia up in something close to a 4 3 3, building through midfield before looking to use width once the opposition commits, with Cauly typically cutting inside from the left and Everaldo carrying the ball in behind. Lacerda's short time in charge offers a limited sample to work from, though Chapecoense have predominantly sat deep and absorbed pressure away from home under each of their managers this year. Bahia will need the midfield to circulate quickly and drag Chapecoense out of their defensive block, when space appears wide, that is likely where this game opens up.
Chapecoense hold a slight edge across 12 meetings since 2014, with five wins to Bahia's three and four draws. That historical record is somewhat misleading, though: Bahia are unbeaten in their last five Serie A meetings against Chapecoense and have a strong record at the Fonte Nova specifically.
Chapecoense have been vulnerable at set pieces away from home, which matters here because Bahia use their dead ball situations deliberately, with Cauly as the primary delivery threat. Chapecoense desperately need points to ease relegation pressure and may push slightly higher than their usual deep block, which would suit Bahia's attackers perfectly.
Bahia 2 1 Chapecoense. Chapecoense's away record and their vulnerability at set pieces suggest Ceni's side will find a way through, even if the visitors nick one late.
Ryan Baldi
Football Writer
Ryan Baldi is a professional football writer with years of experience and has been featured by respected outlets such as the BBC, The Guardian, Sky Sports, DAZN, FourFourTwo, ESPN, Yahoo Sport and Football365. He has also written several books including Arsène Who?.
