Palmeiras vs Santos Prediction & Betting Tips - Copa Libertadores

Prediction published on 27/01/2021, 12:56  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 27/01/2021 at 13:56 in Copa Libertadores Predictions

It's an all-Brazilian final of the Copa Libertadores as Palmerias take on Santos. Palmeiras are currently fifth in Brazil's Serie A, with their opponents down in 10th. Palmeiras have only won this competition on one previous occasion, back in 1999. It's their fourth final and they go into the game as favourites to lift the trophy. They won their qualifying group by three clear points after winning five of their six matches. That made them the number one seeds for the knock-out stages of the Copa Libertadores. The last sixteen saw them in top form as they beat Delfin from Ecuador 8-1 on aggregate. It was reasonably comfortable in the last eight too as they drew the away first leg at Libertad 1-1 before beating them 3-0 at home.  Their easy route to this final continued when winning the away first leg against River Plate 3-0. They suffered their only loss so far in this season's competiton when losing the home second leg 2-0 but hung on to reach their first final since 2000. Since that semi-final they have only won one of five games. The 4-0 home win over Corinthians showed what they are capable of though.

Santos have won this trophy three times. They last won it in 2011, ending a 48 year wait for another cup victory. They had no problems at all in the group stages, finishing top and with a nine point lead. They played Delfin twice, winning 1-0 at home and 2-1 away, nowhere near as convincing as the wins Palmeiras had against them. Santos were seeded second for the knock-out stages. They had a tough last sixteen tie, only beating LDU Quito on away goals, winning away and being beaten at home. It was a bit easier in the quarter finals as they beat fellow Serie A side Gremio 4-1 on aggregate. They took on Boca Juniors in the semi-finals and after a goalless away first leg, won 3-0 at home to make it into the final. Current form is worrying though with their last three games all lost and eight goals conceded.  Form away from home isn't that great either with eight league defeats on the road this season. This should be an exciting final and it's Palmeiras who can lift the trophy.