Verdict: Palmeiras win

Best Odds: 1/2

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Two sides who find themselves scrapping it out at opposite ends of the Serie A standings, Palmeiras will welcome Atletico GO to the Allianz Parque late on Thursday night.

Palmeiras

Starting with the hosts, making real history last season as they defended their domestic crown, Palmeiras are once again firing on all cylinders. Last seen putting in another dominant display as they secured a 2-0 victory at home against Bahia, the Brazilian icons will now have their sights firmly set on reclaiming their spot at the top of the Serie A standings here. Opening the midweek fixtures sat just one-point adrift of climbing to the top of the pile, Abel Ferreira’s men will certainly be smelling a golden opportunity here. Opening July with another 2-0 win against Corinthians, the Big Green have suffered just a single defeat from any of their previous 12 appearances across all competitions – a run that stems all the way back to May 12th.

Team News

Still dealing with a long-term muscle injury, former Sao Paulo striker Bruno Rodrigues remains on the sidelines and will not feature late on Thursday night. Likewise, yet to make a single appearance since the start of June, 22-year-old Romulo is not expected to play any part at the Allianz Parque.

While Brazil might have shockingly came crashing out of the Copa America last weekend, it remains to be seen if 17-year-old sensation Endrick will return to Palmeiras’ squad here. One-time AC Milan defender Gustavo Gomez will start at the heart of Ferreira’s defence and partner academy graduate Vitor Reis.

Atletico GO

As for the visitors, while Atletico GO might have made their Serie A return this season, the Dragons face a real uphill battle to keep hold of their top-flight status. Suffering a worrying collapse on home soil last weekend as they eventually slumped to a 2-1 loss at the hands of Athletico-PR, Jair Ventura’s men have collected just a single victory from any of their previous nine Serie A appearances. Opening July with a routine 3-1 drumming away at Bragantino, the Goiania-based outfit have a major challenge on their hands here. Falling to an action-packed 4-2 defeat when they last travelled to the Allianz Parque back in June 2022, Thursday’s guests will be worried by a nightmare record against the defending Brazilian champions. Mustering just a one-point from any of their last five trips to Palmeiras, the relegation scrappers are pencilled in as a landslide underdog in midweek.

Team News

Shown a second-half red card against Athletico-PR last weekend, former Guarani attacker Derek will miss out through suspension on Thursday night. Likewise, still dealing with a recent knock and not making a single appearance over the past three weeks, 31-year-old Pedro Henrique remains on the sidelines and will not feature here.

Now finding the net in all of his previous three Serie A appearances on the bounce, attacking talisman Luiz Fernando will once again play a leading role at the Allianz Parque. Uruguayan youngster Emiliano Rodriguez will partner Fernando in the final third.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Palmeiras last welcomed Atletico GO to the Allianz Parque back in June 2022, the reigning Brazilian champions collected an action-packed 4-2 victory.
• Palmeiras are unbeaten in all of their previous 10 consecutive appearances against Thursday’s guests.
• The Big Green have won all of their last five consecutive appearances at the Allianz Parque by an aggregate score of 11-2.
• Atletico GO have collected just a single victory from any of their previous nine Serie A appearances.
• The Dragons have collected just a single point from any of their last five trips to Palmeiras.

Conclusion

Putting in another routine performance last weekend as they secured a 2-0 victory against Bahia, Palmeiras will certainly be smelling the chance to make another statement here. Pencilled in as a standout contender to make it three Serie A titles on the bounce this season, Thursday’s hosts have continued to gain a reputation for their success at the Allianz Parque. Winning all of their previous five straight showdowns in front of their own supporters by an aggregate score of 11-2, a struggling Atletico GO have another monumental challenge on their hands in midweek.