Two-time reiginign champions will be hoping for a third successive Copa Libertadores title, and they welcome Athletico Paranaense to Allianz Parque on Wednesday for the second leg of that semi-final encounter.
In the opening leg last week, a conservative affair went the way of Wednesday’s visitors, who handed Verdao their first defeat of the 2022 compatition, 1-0.
Palmeiras’ narrow victory in the quarter-finals against Atletico Mineiro came at a cost as Abel Ferreira was without two of his star midfielders through suspension last week, and his team lacked creativity and solid movement throughout that encounter.
It was the second time this year that they had failed to find the back of the net against the 2021 Copa Sudamericana champions and the second consecutive game at this competition where they were held scoreless in normal time.
To keep the drem of a third consecutive Libertadores title alive, Palmeiras will have to do something unusual in the semi-finals of this competition since 2018, reverse a first-leg deficit to progress to the final.
Luiz Felipe Scolari is on the verge of making another trip to the final of this competition, having seen his players perform well under challenging circumstances, scoring on their only effort on target last week against current Brasileiro Serie A leaders.
Over the past two months, El Paranaense are the only club who have beaten Palmeiras in a competitive game while also being the last team to defeat them on their home turf after 90 minutes, winning 2-0 at Allianz Parque in a domestic meeting back in early July.
Paranaense have only suffered one defeat in their previous 12 knockout stage matches in CONMEBOL club competitions, falling to a 1-0 defeat against LDU Quito in the quarter-finals of the Copa Sudamericana last year, eventually hoisting the trophy for a second time.
Palmeiras vs Athletico Paranaense head to head
The two teams have previously met on 47 occasions across all competitions, where Palmeiras have claimed 20 victories while Paranaense have won 12, and they have drawn in 15. Palmeiras have scored 58 goals and conceded 48. In their last five meetings, Paranaense have won two, Palmeiras one with two draws.
Athletico Paranaense 0-0 Palmeiras 07/12/21
Athletico Paranaense 2-2 Palmeiras 24/02/22
Palmeiras 2-0 Athletico Paranaense 03/03/22
Palmeiras 0-2 Athletico Paranaense 03/07/22
Athletico Paranaense 1-0 Palmeiras 31/08/22
Palmeiras latest home form
Palmeiras have recently been on a good run of form at home, having been unbeaten in their five most recent matches. They played out a 1-1 draw with Flamengo in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored seven goals and conceded two.
Palmeiras 1-0 Cuiaba 19/07/22
Palmeiras 2-1 Internacional 24/07/22
Palmeiras 3-0 Goias 07/08/22
Palmeiras (P)0-0 Atletico Mineiro 11/08/22
Palmeiras 1-1 Flamengo 21/08/22
Palmeiras latest away form
Palmeiras have recently been on a relatively good run of form on the road, having lost just one of their 10 most recent matches. They drew 2-2 with RB Bragantino in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored six goals and conceded five.
Atletico Mineiro 2-2 Palmeiras 04/08/22
Corinthians 0-1 Palmeiras 14/08/22
Fluminense 1-1 Palmeiras 28/08/22
Athletico Paranaense 1-0 Palmeiras 31/08/22
RB Bragantino 2-2 Palmeiras 04/09/22
Athletico Paranaense latest home form
Athletico Paranaense have recently been on a relatively good run of form at home, having lost just one of their five most recent matches. They managed to defeat Fluminense 1-0 in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored three goals and conceded two.
Athletico Paranaense 0-0 Estudiantes 05/08/22
Athletico Paranaense 0-1 Flamengo 18/08/22
Athletico Paranaense 1-1 America Mineiro 22/08/22
Athletico Paranaense 1-0 Palmeiras 31/08/22
Athletico Paranaense 1-0 Fluminense 04/09/22
Athletico Paranaense latest away form
Athletico Paranaense have recently been on a relatively good run of form on the road, having lost just one of their five most recent matches. They drew 0-0 with Ceara in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored four goals and conceded seven.
Flamengo 0-0 Athletico Paranaense 28/07/22
Atletico Mineiro 2-3 Athletico Paranaense 08/08/22
Estudiantes 0-1 Athletico Paranaense 12/08/22
Flamengo 5-0 Athletico Paranaense 14/08/22
Ceara 0-0 Athletico Paranaense 28/08/22
Palmeiras news
An own goal from goalkeeper Cleiton and the first of the domestic campaign from Miguel Merentiel helped Palmeiras to come back and draw Braga 2-2 this weekend.
Danilo and Gustavo Scarpa missed the opening leg of this tie through suspension, and the midfielder is also supended for this second-leg encounter.
Athletico Paranaense news
Alex Santana scored the only goal the last time these teams met, his first of the competition for Athletico Paranaense, and Bento collected his third successive clean sheet at this tournament.
Christian is not expected to be avalable on Wednesday because of a knee injury, and Marcelo Cirino is out for the season.
Prediction and Odds
While both teams will be without some key components to their midfield, Paranaense have masterfully been able to keep the mighty Palmeiras at Bay.
Palmeiras will be fired up to overturn the first-leg deficit, and we believe that they will be capable to that on home turf to progress to the finals.
Odds: 1 2.22 X 2.03 2 2.28
Probable outcomes
Palmeiras 1-0 Athletico Paranaense
Palmeiras 2-0 Athletico Paranaense
Palmeiras 2-1 Athletico Paranaense
Palmeiras 3-1 Athletico Paranaense
Palmeiras 3-2 Athletico Paranaense
