CA River Plate (ARG) vs Palmeiras Prediction & Betting Tips - Copa Libertadores

Prediction published on 03/01/2021, 01:26  by Daniel Ngulu | Modified on 03/01/2021 at 01:31 in Copa Libertadores Predictions

Argentine giants River Plate will play host to Brazilian side Palmeiras in the first leg of the Copa Libertadores semi finals in Buenos Aires this Wednesday. Heading to the game, River Plate are just from a 2-2 draw with arch rivals Boca Juniors in the Argentine league. The ending of the game was dramatic, with three goals scored in the final 16 minutes and two red cards flashed in the second half. That result left River Plate unbeaten in 13 matches and head here with three wins in the last five games. The four-time Copa Libertadores champions are seeking to do better than they did in their loss in the final to Brazilian side Flamengo in the last edition. A run of six matches unbeaten at home, with five wins therein should give River Plate hope for this game but they need to improve in defence after keeping just two clean sheets in the process. Their home form hasn’t disappointed as far as attack is concerned – they have scored in each of their last 10 home matches. Back in the Copa Libertadores, River Plate are unbeaten in their last nine matches in the competition, scoring in all and winning seven. They have actually scored two or more goals in seven of their last nine matches in this competition. At home in this competition, River Plate have also done well, and head here on seven straight wins, with seven clean sheets in the last eight and having scored two or more goals in eight of 10 matches at home. In their last 10 home matches in this competition, River Plate have scored 25 goals and conceded just three. In the quarter finals, River Plate beat Uruguayan side Nacional 8-2 on aggregate to advance to the semis.

Palmeiras on the other hand, head to this game with two straight wins, and three wins in their last five games. They have three clean sheets in the five matches and failed to score in just one of them. The Brazilians are not as big as River Plate in this competition but having come this far shows they have what it takes to tackle the Argentines. In the previous stage Palmeiras eliminated Paraguayan side Libertad 4-1 on aggregate and in their last match ahead of this, they beat America Mineiro 2-0 in the Brazilian Cup. Against River Plate it is definitely going to get tougher but they’ve had a good run in recent matches and will feel up to the task. In the last 15 matches, Palmeiras have nine wins and only two losses, while they have scored in their last 13 matches. They have scored at least two goals in 10 of their last 15 matches and conceded two or more in three of the 15 matches. Away from home, Palmeiras have one win in their last four matches, and that came against Serie B side America Mineiro. They have however scored in eight of their last 10 away matches. In the Copa Libertadores, they have no loss in the last 10 matches, winning eight and keeping six clean sheets and have scored two or more in eight of the 10 matches. In the same competition, Palmeiras are unbeaten in eight away matches, winning five and keeping four clean sheets. The last time these two sides met was in the 1999 Copa Libertadores edition and each won once, with Palmeiras going on to win the title.