Winner takes all in this all-Brazilian Copa Libertadores semifinal. The first leg ended in a scoreless stalemate, but Atlético Mineiro will hope to seal victory in front of its home fans.
Mineiro is currently on a long unbeaten streak in all competitions and is the favorite according to the latest soccer odds.
Game: Atlético Mineiro vs Palmeiras
Location: Estádio Mineirão, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Date/Time: Tuesday, 8:30 p.m. ET
| Team | Goal Line | Moneyline | Over/Under | Team Total |
| Mineiro | -½ (-110) | -110 | 2 (-120o) | 1½ +145o/-175u |
| Palmeiras | +½ (-120) | +325 | 2 (-110u) | ½ -150o/+120u |
| Draw | +235 |
Head to Head
This will be the fourth meeting between Mineiro and Palmeiras in 2021. Atlético Mineiro has been the better recent pick for betting online in this matchup and is undefeated vs Palmeiras with two wins and a draw.
Mineiro has won both Brasileiro meetings this year by a scoreline of 2-0. These teams played to a 0-0 draw in the first leg of the semifinal last week.
Last Match
Atlético Mineiro was handed a golden opportunity to take the lead just before halftime but Hulk hit the post with his penalty.
The first leg of this semifinal wasn’t exactly vivacious as there was just one shot on target between the two teams in an empty stadium.
Palmeiras was content to let its opponent have possession of the ball and was able to stifle a talented forward line of Hulk and Diego Costa.
Costa was substituted off following an injury and missed Mineiro’s game at the weekend. His status is worth monitoring for the second leg.
Palmeiras, by not conceding at home, has an advantage over Mineiro and will advance with a win or a draw, should both teams score.
Mineiro Has Been Brazil’s Best Team
Atlético Mineiro hasn’t lost a game in either the Brasileiro or the Copa Libertadores since June and has kept four consecutive clean sheets in all competitions.
Currently eight points ahead of second-place Palmeiras in the league table, Mineiro is going for a rare quadruple of the Campeonato Mineiro, Brasileiro, Copa do Brasil and Copa Libertadores. Mineiro has already won the Campeonato Mineiro and is in the semifinal of the Copa do Brasil.
Mineiro has struggled for goals in its last two matches but certainly has the offensive firepower to win all of its competitions. Between Hulk, Costa and two time Copa America scoring leader Eduardo Vargas, Mineiro has a vast amount of experience and goal scoring prowess.
Even more impressively, Mineiro’s defense has conceded just 13 goals in 21 Serie A matches, by far the fewest in the league. This Mineiro team is special and has been one of the best recent soccer picks. Atlético could get one step closer to more silverware with a crucial win here.
Struggling Palmeiras Defends Title
A concerning run of form continued for Palmeiras as it lost 2-1 to Corinthians at the weekend. The Sao Paulo club has won just one of its last four matches in all competitions and three of its last 11.
In that 11-game span, Palmeiras has averaged just 1.1 goals and has a minus-2 goal differential. Additionally, Palmeiras has failed to score vs Mineiro in three games this season and could be in trouble.
However, an away goal could go a long way in this match and that’s all it would take if Palmeiras can hold on for a draw vs a strong Mineiro side. Recall, though, that this is still a Palmeiras side that managed to win the Copa Libertadores last season.
Prediction
Mineiro was a missed penalty away from a win on the road last week and should have the advantage playing in front of its home fans. It is somewhat concerning that Mineiro hasn’t scored a goal in its last two matches but it has been stellar defensively.
Expect Hulk to bounce back from his penalty miss and Mineiro to dominate possession once again. Expect Mineiro, listed at -110 in the sportsbook, to take down a struggling Palmeiras team here and advance to the final.
