Palmeiras vs SAO Paulo Prediction & Betting Tips - Copa do Brasil

Prediction published on 12/07/2023, 11:28  by Kennedy Kechula in Football Predictions

Palmeiras will on Friday host the second leg of their Copa do Brasil quarterfinal tie with Sao Paulo. The visitors lead 1-0 on aggregate after their first-leg success a week ago. Palmeiras need to win by two clear goals to advance to the semifinals without needing penalties. They have advanced to this round for the first time since they won the tournament three seasons ago. Last season, they were eliminated on penalties by Sao Paulo in the last 16 round. The four-time Copa champions arrive for this match struggling for form. Abel Ferreira’s men have won once in their last six matches and this was three matches ago. Sandwiched between two draws is their first leg loss. Last time out, they were held to a 1-1 draw by Flamengo at home in the Serie A. Palmeiras have defeated Sao Paulo once in the last six encounters. But having won the two Copa matches they have played at home this season, they will be confident of overturning the result.

If not a win, a draw will suffice for Sao Paulo in this match. A loss by a one-goal margin will mean penalties and losing by two or more will see them eliminated. Dorival Junior’s men will be confident that they can do what it takes to secure progression. Their recent form suggests so. They arrive for this match unbeaten in their last four matches with three ending in victory. The Tricolor Paulista have been menacing in defence which has been key to their upturn after a rocky month of June. They have kept clean sheets in all four fixtures and last time out drew 0-0 away to RB Bragantino in the Serie A. The result left them eighth in the league and just two points behind fifth-placed Palmeiras. Sao Paulo have never won the Copa and have only once made it to the final which was back in 2000. After defeating Palmeiras last season, they were halted in the semifinals by eventual winners Flamengo.