Brazilian giants Palmeiras and Flamengo meet in the Peruvian capital, Lima, on Saturday night in the Copa Libertadores final in what should be a thrilling watch.
Palmeiras breezed through the group stages of the Copa Libertadores before cruising to a 4-0 aggregate victory over Peruvian side Universitario de Deportes in the Round of 16.
Abel Ferreira’s men then knocked out Argentinian giants River Plate 5-3 on aggregate in the quarters, but their run looked to be over after losing the first leg of their semi-final 3-0 in Ecuador against LDU de Quito.
However, the three-time Copa Libertadores winners won the second leg 4-0, to set up a tie with their Brazilian rivals.
After squeezing a second-placed finish in their group, Flamengo advanced to the Round of 16, where they knocked out fellow Brazilian side Internacional 3-0 on aggregate.
However, Felipe Luis’ men found things tougher in the next two rounds, firstly defeating Argentina’s side Estudiantes de la Plata on penalties in the quarter-finals.
A solitary late strike in the first leg of their first leg with another Argentinian side, Racing Club, was enough to seal a 1-0 aggregate victory and keep alive their hopes of sealing a league and continental double.
How the bookies view it: Flamengo favourites for the crown
Flamengo are favourites to lift their fourth Copa Libertadores crown, with bet365 pricing them at 4/6 to lift their trophy.
Palmeiras are 11/10 with the same firm to claim their fourth Copa Libertadores trophy.
Head to head: Flamengo dominance in recent years
Flamengo have dominated this fixture in recent years, with the Rio giants losing just three of their last 21 matches against Palmeiras (W10-D8-L3), winning both league meetings this year (0-2 & 3-2).
However, Palmeiras will take confidence from the fact that they defeated Flamengo 2-1 in the 2021 Copa Libertadores final.
Players to watch: Giorgian to grab another goal?
Giorgian de Arrascaeta has been Flamengo’s talisman this season, with the attacking midfielder scoring 20 goals and providing 14 assists across his 42 appearances in both Serie A and the Copa Libertadores.
The Uruguayan has already scored in both meetings with Palmeiras this season – as well as providing an assist in October’s 3-2 success – and is an appealing 20/21 at bet365 to Score or Assist on Saturday night.
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Predicted line-ups:
Palmeiras are expected to be without Weverton, Lucas Evangelista, Figueiredo and Paulinho due to injury.
Flamengo look to be missing Leo Ortiz, Allan and Pedro through injury, whilst Ecuadorean Gonzalo Plata is suspended.
Palmeiras: Miguel, Khellven, Gomes, Murillo, Piquerez, Allan, Moreno, Martinez, Sosa, Roque, Lopez
Flamengo: Rossi, Varela, Danilo, Pereira, Sandro, Araujo, Jorginho, Carrascal, de Arrascaeta, Lino, Henrique
Anything else catch the eye?
This is the seventh consecutive Copa Libertadores final with a Brazilian representative, and the fifth that has been an all-Brazilian affair.
The previous six have averaged 2.17 goals per game inside 90 minutes, with four (67%) seeing at least two goals, including when these two clubs faced off in the 2021 edition.
Twenty-six of the last 30 meetings between these two Brazilian giants have featured at least two goals – including a five-goal thriller in the Brazilian Serie A just last month – and I’m happy to take a chance on the 2.0 Asian Goal Line, which pays 23/25 at Bet365.
This means if there’s exactly two goals we get our money back, whilst three or more will result in a full payout.
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