Against All Odds: Bahia to keep good run going

Bahia have been much improved of late

After picking up a nice winner in Brazil last night, Paul Robinson remains there today as he feels that Bahia can take something from their trip to Botafogo.

Botafogo RJ v Bahia
Thursday September 18, 02:00 BST

Botafogo are having a poor campaign by their usual standards as last year's fourth placed finishers are down in 15th after 21 fixtures this time around. Three straight defeats has moved them dangerously close to the relegation zone and while they should have enough class to avoid the drop, they need to get back on track soon.

Vgner Mancini's side did face some tough teams during that bad run - trips to Atletico Mineiro and Internacional, as well as a home game against Sao Paulo - but even prior to that, they'd only won six out of 18 this term. While five of those wins came in front of their own fans, it's going to be difficult for them to suddenly put in a good performance and it can't go unnoticed that they've lost their last four matches against today's opponents - including a 2-1 defeat on this ground back in September 2013.

Bahia aren't enjoying too good a campaign either as they are down in 19th place with 20 points. A mere four victories this season has them stuck in the relegation zone but it's quite a tight division and a couple of wins would have them back in mid-table.

Gilson Kleina is the new man in charge at the club and he would have been delighted by his team's 3-0 success over Figueirense on Sunday. In fact, since Marquinhos Santos departed as manager at the end of July, the Salvadoran based outfit have lost just two of 12 fixtures, and one of those came at leaders and defending champions, Cruzeiro, where they actually led 1-0 until they were reduced to 10 men in the 51st minute.

With confidence high in the Bahia camp, I'm optimistic about them earning at least a point tonight. That's why, with Botafogo trading at around the 1.9210/11 mark, I have to make them my lay of the day.

Recommended Bet
Lay Botafogo RJ v Bahia @ 1.9210/11

2014 P/L (1pt each bet)

Wagered: 249 pts
Returned: 255.80 pts
P/L: + 6.80 pts (after commission)
(2013 P/L: + 3.80 pts)
(2012 P/L: + 9.60 pts)