Palmeiras host Junior in their final group game of this season’s Copa Libertadores at the Allianz Parque late on Thursday evening.
The Brazilians are second in Group F and know a victory would seal their spot in the knockout phase of the tournament.
Colombian outfit Junior have already been eliminated after failing to win any of their first four games, but they did take a point off Palmeiras when the sides met in April and emerged victorious against Sporting Cristal in their most recent Libertadores fixture - a result that helped out their hosts on Thursday.
While Palmeiras will be confident of progressing with home advantage, Junior will be no pushovers and so it should prove to be a competitive clash.
Palmeiras v Junior Tips Summary
Best Bet - Under 2.5 goals @ 11/10
Alternative Bet - Draw @ 17/4
Bet Builder - Jose Flaco Lopez to score anytime, Over 5 cards & Over 10 corners @ 7/1
Palmeiras v Junior Prediction
Best Bet: Under 2.5 goals @ 11/10
Palmeiras are seven points clear at the top of Brazilian Serie A and ran out 3-0 winners over Flamengo on Sunday. However, such a scoreline has been an anomaly for the Green and White this season.
In fact, that was the first time Palmeiras had scored three or more goals in a match since February, with most of their wins in the intervening period coming by the odd goal.
Unsurprisingly given that stat, 10 of Palmeiras’ 11 games prior to beating Flamengo had featured no more than two goals.
Difficult to beat having lost only twice this campaign, the Brazilian side have not conceded more than one goal in a game since mid-March.
As for Junior, the Colombians have scored one goal or less in six of their last nine matches across all competitions and so backing under 2.5 goals could prove a smart pick.
Alternative Bet: Draw @ 17/4
While Palmeiras have won the majority of their games this season to take first place in Brazil’s top-flight, the Green and White have drawn four of their last seven matches.
Abel Ferreira’s side have also drawn two of their away games in the Copa Libertadores and so while hard to beat, they haven’t been entirely convincing when it comes to wins on the continent so far this season.
Junior, meanwhile, have been held in three of their last four games and so another stalemate could be on the cards in Sao Paulo on Thursday.
Palmeiras will be aiming for victory to ensure progress to the Copa Libertadores knockout stages, however, a point would be enough should Sporting Cristal fail to win away to group leaders Cerro Porteno.
Junior may have already been eliminated but will be playing for pride and eager to maintain a run of five games unbeaten. Having drawn with Palmeiras in April, the Colombian side will have belief they can frustrate their hosts again.
Palmeiras v Junior Bet Builder Tip
Jose Flaco Lopez to score anytime
Over 5 cards
Over 10 corners
Pays 7/1
Jose Flaco Lopez is the top scorer for Palmeiras this season, finding the net eight times across all competitions.
The Argentine striker opened the scoring in Sunday’s victory at Flamengo and has four goals in his last eight appearances. Lopez looks a wise choice to score anytime against Junior.
Palmeiras’ last game produced a total of 12 cards, including a red for an opposing player, and Thursday’s match could follow a similar theme with progress on the line.
Three of the last five Junior matches have also seen the referee dish out six or more cautions and so backing over five cards for Thursday’s clash may prove a smart pick.
Looking at corners, Palmeiras’ last two matches in the Copa Libertadores have featured over 10 corners, while the Brazilians recorded 11 when they faced Junior in their opening group game.
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Key Match Stats
Palmeiras have lost just two matches this season and are top of Serie A in Brazil
Junior have lost three of their five group games in the Copa Libertadores
Palmeiras have won four of the five previous meetings between the two clubs
Junior have made 18 appearances in the Copa Libertadores, reaching the last 16 in 2024
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
