On Friday, 14 June, in the 8th round of the Brazilian Serie A, Palmeiras will host Vasco da Gama. The visitors were thoroughly defeated by Flamengo last week, while the white-greens are only five points behind the top spot with a game in hand.
The match will take place at the Allianz Stadium in São Paulo.
Twice Brazilian Serie A champions, Palmeiras are rightly considered favourites for the title this season. However, the white-greens are not having a perfect run: currently, the hosts sit in 8th place with 11 points from 7 rounds. After three unbeaten matches, Abel Ferreira's side unexpectedly lost 2-0 at home to Athletico Paranaense but quickly returned to winning ways with a 2-1 victory over Criciúma. In the Copa Libertadores, Palmeiras topped their group with ease and will face Botafogo in the Round of 16.
It is worth noting that they have only lost once in their last five home matches in all competitions, though they have won just twice. In fact, Palmeiras have conceded just two goals in their last four matches! They are missing forwards Bruno Rodrigues and Dudu, who are still recovering from health issues. Endrick is with the Brazilian national team for the Copa América and has already bid farewell to the club's fans, having signed a contract with Real Madrid.
Having finished only 15th in last year's championship, Vasco da Gama intend to achieve more this season. However, the visitors have mostly been disappointing: they are 14th in the table with only 2 wins and 5 losses. After four consecutive defeats, the black and whites regained some confidence by defeating Vitória 2-1 but suffered a humiliating 6-1 loss to Flamengo at home last round.
Vasco da Gama have lost young defender Paulinho (19), as well as midfielders Jair and Adson, who are all recovering from injuries. Paulinho is out with a knee injury, with a return not expected before July. Additionally, centre-back João Victor is suspended.
In August last year, Palmeiras narrowly defeated Vasco 1-0. Moreover, the black and whites have not beaten their upcoming opponents since 2015.
So far this season, Palmeiras have yet to win at home in the league, but this match is an excellent opportunity to change that. The hosts are in good form and eager to return to the title race, while the visitors are struggling - their crushing defeat to Flamengo could have dented the team's morale. I do not expect any surprises here and back the home team's triumph.
Vasco have conceded more than any other team in Serie A this season, while the white-greens have a strong offensive line even without Endrick. I am betting on the home side's individual total over 1.5 goals.
Palmeiras will play as the aggressor and attack more, while the visitors will lock their defence. I am backing the home team to win the corners with a handicap of -1.5.
Vasco da Gama will spend more time defending and consequently will commit more fouls. I am backing the black and whites to win on yellow cards.
I predict a 2-0 score in favour of Palmeiras.
# | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | G | PTS | |
1 | Botafogo | 38 | 23 | 10 | 5 | 30 | 59:29 | 79 | |
2 | Palmeiras | 38 | 22 | 7 | 9 | 27 | 60:33 | 73 | |
3 | Flamengo | 38 | 20 | 10 | 8 | 19 | 61:42 | 70 | |
4 | Fortaleza | 38 | 19 | 11 | 8 | 14 | 53:39 | 68 | |
5 | Internacional | 38 | 18 | 11 | 9 | 17 | 53:36 | 65 | |
6 | Sao Paulo | 38 | 17 | 8 | 13 | 10 | 53:43 | 59 | |
7 | Corinthians | 38 | 15 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 54:45 | 56 | |
8 | Bahia | 38 | 15 | 8 | 15 | 0 | 49:49 | 53 | |
9 | Cruzeiro | 38 | 14 | 10 | 14 | 2 | 43:41 | 52 | |
10 | Vasco da Gama | 38 | 14 | 8 | 16 | -13 | 43:56 | 50 | |
11 | Vitoria | 38 | 13 | 8 | 17 | -7 | 45:52 | 47 | |
12 | Atletico Mineiro | 38 | 11 | 14 | 13 | -7 | 47:54 | 47 | |
13 | Fluminense | 38 | 12 | 10 | 16 | -6 | 33:39 | 46 | |
14 | Gremio | 38 | 12 | 9 | 17 | -6 | 44:50 | 45 | |
15 | Juventude | 38 | 11 | 12 | 15 | -11 | 48:59 | 45 | |
16 | RB Bragantino | 38 | 10 | 14 | 14 | -4 | 44:48 | 44 | |
17 | Athletico Paranaense | 38 | 11 | 9 | 18 | -6 | 40:46 | 42 | |
18 | Criciuma | 38 | 9 | 11 | 18 | -19 | 42:61 | 38 | |
19 | Atletico Goianiense | 38 | 7 | 9 | 22 | -29 | 29:58 | 30 | |
20 | Cuiaba | 38 | 6 | 12 | 20 | -20 | 29:49 | 30 | |
1 | Fortaleza | 19 | 14 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 32:8 | 47 | |
2 | Botafogo | 19 | 12 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 31:13 | 41 | |
3 | Sao Paulo | 19 | 12 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 31:18 | 39 | |
4 | Palmeiras | 19 | 12 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 34:16 | 38 | |
5 | Flamengo | 19 | 11 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 30:21 | 38 | |
6 | Internacional | 19 | 11 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 30:15 | 38 | |
7 | Corinthians | 19 | 10 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 37:18 | 38 | |
8 | Bahia | 19 | 11 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 25:15 | 36 | |
9 | Cruzeiro | 19 | 10 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 29:16 | 35 | |
10 | Vasco da Gama | 19 | 10 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 29:24 | 35 | |
11 | RB Bragantino | 19 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 27:19 | 31 | |
12 | Juventude | 19 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 27:24 | 30 | |
13 | Fluminense | 19 | 7 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 20:16 | 29 | |
14 | Gremio | 19 | 9 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 26:26 | 29 | |
15 | Atletico Mineiro | 19 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 27:26 | 28 | |
16 | Vitoria | 19 | 8 | 3 | 8 | 0 | 23:23 | 27 | |
17 | Athletico Paranaense | 19 | 7 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 24:21 | 25 | |
18 | Criciuma | 19 | 5 | 8 | 6 | 0 | 22:27 | 23 | |
19 | Atletico Goianiense | 19 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 0 | 16:24 | 20 | |
20 | Cuiaba | 19 | 3 | 5 | 11 | 0 | 16:23 | 14 | |
1 | Botafogo | 19 | 11 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 28:16 | 38 | |
2 | Palmeiras | 19 | 10 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 26:17 | 35 | |
3 | Flamengo | 19 | 9 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 31:21 | 32 | |
4 | Internacional | 19 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 23:21 | 27 | |
5 | Fortaleza | 19 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 0 | 21:31 | 21 | |
6 | Sao Paulo | 19 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 0 | 22:25 | 20 | |
7 | Vitoria | 19 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 0 | 22:29 | 20 | |
8 | Atletico Mineiro | 19 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 0 | 20:28 | 19 | |
9 | Corinthians | 19 | 5 | 3 | 11 | 0 | 17:27 | 18 | |
10 | Bahia | 19 | 4 | 5 | 10 | 0 | 24:34 | 17 | |
11 | Cruzeiro | 19 | 4 | 5 | 10 | 0 | 14:25 | 17 | |
12 | Fluminense | 19 | 5 | 2 | 12 | 0 | 13:23 | 17 | |
13 | Athletico Paranaense | 19 | 4 | 5 | 10 | 0 | 16:25 | 17 | |
14 | Gremio | 19 | 3 | 7 | 9 | 0 | 18:24 | 16 | |
15 | Cuiaba | 19 | 3 | 7 | 9 | 0 | 13:26 | 16 | |
16 | Vasco da Gama | 19 | 4 | 3 | 12 | 0 | 14:32 | 15 | |
17 | Juventude | 19 | 3 | 6 | 10 | 0 | 21:35 | 15 | |
18 | Criciuma | 19 | 4 | 3 | 12 | 0 | 20:34 | 15 | |
19 | RB Bragantino | 19 | 2 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 17:29 | 13 | |
20 | Atletico Goianiense | 19 | 2 | 4 | 13 | 0 | 13:34 | 10 |
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