'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Palmeiras will welcome Atletico Mineiro to the Estádio Brinco de Ouro in the Brazilian Serie A on Saturday. The hosts are in second place in the league table with 53 points while Atletico are in ninth place with 36 points.
The defending champions are unbeaten in their last seven league outings, recording five wins on the trot. They met Vasco da Gama in their previous league game last week and José Manuel López's first-half strike helped them to a 1-0 away win.
The visitors met RB Bragantino last week in Serie A and registered a comfortable 3-0 home win. Deyverson scored in the first half while Cadu and Hulk added goals in the second half.
They continued their form in the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals on Wednesday, with a 2-0 win over reigning champions Fluminense. Deyverson started from the bench and bagged a second-half brace, as Atletico progressed to the semifinals 2-1 on aggregate.
Palmeiras vs Atlético Mineiro Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- The two teams have met 96 times in all competitions. The hosts have the better record in these meetings with 42 wins. Atletico have 30 wins and 24 games have ended in draws.
- Verdão registered a 4-0 away win in the reverse fixture in June and will look to secure their first league double since the 2005 campaign.
- Atletico have won just one of their last 12 meetings against the hosts, with that triumph coming away from home in the Brazilian Serie A last season.
- Palmeiras are on a five-game winning streak in the Brazilian Serie A, keeping four clean sheets.
- Atletico Mineiro have just one win in their last six away games in the Brazilian Serie A, failing to score in three games in that period.
- The hosts have the best defensive record in the league this season, conceding 19 goals in 27 games, 17 fewer than Atletico.
Palmeiras vs Atlético Mineiro Prediction
Verdão are unbeaten in their last six games in all competitions, recording five wins. They have won 10 of their last 11 Serie A home games, and are strong favorites. Interestingly, they are winless in their last three Serie A home games against Atletico, failing to score in the last two.
Mayke and Marcelo Lomba trained separately from the group and will face late fitness tests. Estêvão, Marcos Rocha, Bruno Rodrigues, and Joaquín Piquerez remain sidelined with injuries.
Galo have seen an upturn in form recently and, after going winless in their three games after the international break, they have registered wins in their last two. Nonetheless, they have lost their last two away games, conceding four goals without a reply, which is a cause for concern.
Bernard picked up an injury against Libertadores and is a doubt. Paulinho was left out of the squad last week and he is also a doubt for the trip to São Paulo.
Considering the defending champions' winning streak in the league and impressive home record this season, the hosts are expected to eke out a narrow win.
Prediction: Palmeiras 2-1 Atlético Mineiro
Palmeiras vs Atlético Mineiro Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Palmeiras to win
Tip 2: Goals - Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Over 2.5 goals
Tip 3: At least one goal to be scored in the second half - Yes
Tip 4: José Manuel López to score or assist any time - Yes
