Atletico Mineiro vs Palmeiras Prediction & Betting Tips - Copa Libertadores

Prediction published on 01/08/2023, 14:25  by Kennedy Kechula | Modified on 02/08/2023 at 12:30 in Copa Libertadores Prediction

Atletico Mineiro will be at home on Thursday against Palmeiras in the first leg of their Copa Libertadores last 16 tie. The winner on aggregate after the second leg next week will play either Independiente del Valle or Deportivo Pereira in the quarterfinals. For the third season in a row, these two teams have been paired up against each other in this competition. Atletico have lost both ties but they will hope for better tidings here. The Galo have struggled for form this season but in the Libertadores, they have excelled. They finished second in Group G with 10 points and secured two of their three victories at home. Domestically though they have struggled and this prompted the hiring of veteran coach Luis Scolari in June. Scolari also coached Palmeiras four seasons ago and could be the key for Atletico. The hosts come into this match without a win in the last nine matches. They have lost four times in this run including in their last two fixtures.

Palmeiras are also struggling but they have fared better than Mineiro and arrive for this fixture after winning their last two matches. They beat America Mineiro 4-1 last time out to extend their current unbeaten run to three matches. Before beating Fortaleza a fortnight ago, Palmeiras had gone five matches without a win. Abel Ferreira’s men are unbeaten in eight matches against Atletico. They have won both Libertadores encounters against their Serie A opponents. In 2021 they won their semifinal tie on their way to lifting the trophy. All four Libertadores matches however have failed to produce a winner after 90 minutes. Periquito Verde qualified for the knockout rounds after topping Group C. They managed 15 points thanks to five wins and scored an amazing 16 goals, the most by any team in the group stages.