Rafael Nogueira
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Athletico Paranaense – PR host Bahia – BA in the Brazilian Serie A on Sunday 20 September 2026, and our predicted lineups for the game highlight two squads pulling in opposite directions on rotation. Athletico’s shape has stayed fixed but a couple of individual roles are still up for grabs, while Bahia’s spine barely moves even as a couple of full-backs rotate in and out. Below are the expected XIs built from recent starts, plus the team news each side is carrying into kickoff.
Predicted Athletico Paranaense – PR Line-up
Odair Hellmann’s side is projected in a 3-4-2-1, which lines up as his preferred formation with this club. The XI is largely settled, with 9 of the projected XI starting their last match, which points to a core group Hellmann trusts. Arthur Dias has started all four of the matches used for this projection and looks a certainty at the back, while Kerwin Vargas has yet to start in that sample and represents the shakiest pick in the predicted line-up up front.
Athletico Paranaense – PR predicted XI: Mycael Pontes Moreira; Arthur Dias, João Vitor Silva Dantas de Oliveira, Juan Aguirre; Stiven Mendoza, Luiz Gustavo, Jadson Alves dos Santos, Gaston Americo Benavidez, Leonardo Caetano Silva, Lucas Esquivel; Kerwin Vargas
| Line | # | Player | Starts in last 4 | Last 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | 1 | Mycael Pontes Moreira | 2/4 | 2/3 |
| D | 4 | Arthur Dias | 4/4 | 3/3 |
| D | 25 | João Vitor Silva Dantas de Oliveira | 4/4 | 3/3 |
| D | 33 | Juan Aguirre | 4/4 | 3/3 |
| M | 7 | Stiven Mendoza | 4/4 | 3/3 |
| M | 14 | Luiz Gustavo | 4/4 | 3/3 |
| M | 16 | Jadson Alves dos Santos | 4/4 | 3/3 |
| M | 29 | Gaston Americo Benavidez | 3/4 | 2/3 |
| M | 21 | Leonardo Caetano Silva | 3/4 | 2/3 |
| M | 37 | Lucas Esquivel | 1/4 | 1/3 |
| F | 18 | Kerwin Vargas | 0/4 | 0/3 |
Bahia – BA Predicted Lineup
Rogério Ceni’s expected XI comes in a 4-3-3, again matching his stated preference at Bahia – BA. It’s largely settled, with 7 of the projected XI starting their last match, even though two full-back slots have seen some churn. Ronaldo has started every one of the last four matches used here and is the clearest lock in goal, whereas Willian José has not started any of them, making his place in this projected front three the least secure.
Bahia – BA predicted XI: Ronaldo; David Duarte, Luciano, Román Gómez, Ramos Mingo; Nicolas Acevedo, Rodrigo Nestor, Erick Luis Conrado Carvalho; Alejo Veliz, erick pulga, Willian José
| Line | # | Player | Starts in last 4 | Last 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | 1 | Ronaldo | 4/4 | 3/3 |
| D | 33 | David Duarte | 4/4 | 3/3 |
| D | 46 | Luciano | 4/4 | 3/3 |
| D | 31 | Román Gómez | 3/4 | 2/3 |
| D | 21 | Ramos Mingo | 3/4 | 2/3 |
| M | 5 | Nicolas Acevedo | 4/4 | 3/3 |
| M | 11 | Rodrigo Nestor | 4/4 | 3/3 |
| M | 14 | Erick Luis Conrado Carvalho | 3/4 | 2/3 |
| F | 9 | Alejo Veliz | 4/4 | 3/3 |
| F | 16 | erick pulga | 4/4 | 3/3 |
| F | 12 | Willian José | 0/4 | 0/3 |
Injuries and Suspensions
Leonardo Derik and Claudinho are out injured, while João Victor Machado Cruz and Kevin Viveros are unavailable through suspension, a set of absences that thins Athletico Paranaense – PR’s defensive and central options in particular. Of the players in reserve, Aderbar Melo dos Santos Neto arrives with two starts here, the most among the bench options, making him the man most likely to be asked to step in.
| Player | Pos | Status | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leonardo Derik | D | injured | Thigh problems |
| João Victor Machado Cruz | M | suspended | Yellow card suspension |
| Kevin Viveros | F | suspended | Yellow card suspension |
| Claudinho | D | injured | Muscle bruise |
Léo Vieira is out injured, while Cristian Olivera is unavailable through suspension, leaving Bahia – BA without back-up in goal and one attacking option. On the bench, Kanu has a single start in this sample and looks the most experienced squad option should Rogério Ceni need to freshen things up.
| Player | Pos | Status | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cristian Olivera | F | suspended | Yellow card suspension |
| Léo Vieira | G | injured | Jumpers knee |
How We Predict These XIs
Each side’s expected XI is built from their last four line-ups, with more recent matches weighted more heavily than older ones so current form counts for more than a result from a month ago. Any player confirmed injured or suspended has been removed from selection entirely before the projection is drawn up. This is a predicted lineup, not an official team sheet, and it will be updated once the real team news is confirmed closer to kickoff.
Read also: Athletico PR vs Bahia Prediction: 21.09.2026 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A
Read also: Athletico Paranaense – PR vs Bahia – BA Head-to-Head: Record, Stats & Form as of 20 Sep 2026
FAQ
What formation will Athletico Paranaense – PR vs Bahia – BA be played in?
Athletico Paranaense – PR are projected in a 3-4-2-1 and Bahia – BA in a 4-3-3, both matching the shapes their coaches have preferred recently.
Who is predicted to start in goal for Athletico Paranaense – PR and Bahia – BA?
Mycael Pontes Moreira is the projected starter for Athletico Paranaense – PR, while Ronaldo, who has started all four matches used for this projection, is expected in goal for Bahia – BA.
Who is unavailable for Athletico Paranaense – PR vs Bahia – BA?
Athletico Paranaense – PR are without Leonardo Derik and Claudinho through injury and João Victor Machado Cruz and Kevin Viveros through suspension. Bahia – BA are missing Léo Vieira through injury and Cristian Olivera through suspension.
When do Athletico Paranaense – PR and Bahia – BA kick off?
The match is scheduled for Sunday 20 September 2026 in the Brazilian Serie A.