Vasco da Gama vs Bahia Prediction: Phil fits the bill in 8/1 Price Boost

Vasco da Gama will be looking to land a first league win of the season on Thursday (00:30 GMT) when they host Bahia, who have collected four points from their opening two games, at the Sao Januario.

Below are my Vasco da Gama vs Bahia predictions, supported by all the latest team news and match odds, ahead of this Brazilian Serie A fixture from Rio de Janeiro.

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Team News

Vasco da Gama head coach Fernando Diniz won't be able to call upon knee injury victim Jair.

Brazilian full-back Cuiabano, who joined Nottingham Forest last summer but failed to make an appearance for the Premier League strugglers, could make his debut after recently joining on loan, while Argentine attacker Claudio Spinelli is also looking to don the black and white kit for the first time following his arrival from Independiente del Valle.

Football Odds

Bahia boss Rogerio Ceni is missing injured duo Ruan Pablo and Sidney Duarte (both unspecified), while Dell is suspended after being handed his marching orders in last week's 1-1 draw with Fluminense.

Vasco da Gama vs Bahia Odds

Vasco da Gama are 5/4 favourites, implying a 44.4% probability of success, while Bahia are 2/1, or a 33.3% chance, with the draw priced at 23/10.

Price Boosts - Coutinho (VAS) To Score The First Goal at 7/1 8/1

Former Liverpool and FC Barcelona playmaker Philippe Coutinho hardly set Serie A alight last season, scoring five goals and registering three assists in 30 appearances, but he started the 2026 campaign brightly, opening the scoring in the 21st minute of Vasco's 2-1 defeat at Mirassol on January 29.

The 33-year-old was also on target in his side's 2-0 Carioca victory over Botafogo last Sunday, doubling their lead in the 63rd minute from the penalty spot to record his third goal of 2026.

Today's Football Fixtures

Coutinho struck an equaliser in Vasco's 3-1 win over Bahia in last season's corresponding fixture, so it's a side he has found recent success against.

At a boosted price of 8/1, the Brazilian looks a good bet to open the scoring on Thursday.

Booking Points Over/Under +52.5 - Over 52.5 @ 5/6

Bahia have failed to keep their discipline in both league games this season, with Michel Araujo's red card against Corinthians followed by Dell's dismissal against Fluminense.

Their first match produced 95 booking points, and in their second, 55 were awarded.

Vasco's have been more low-key, with 30 booking points in their defeat at Mirassol, followed by zero in their draw with Chapecoense.

However, they're now taking on a Bahia side with two tricky wingers, Ademir and Erick Pulga, who have already been fouled seven and three times, respectively, this term.

Last season's corresponding fixture saw three yellow cards and one red card, amounting to 55 booking points, dished out, while five yellows and two reds, totalling 90 booking points, were recorded in the reverse meeting.