Group A of the 2021 Copa Libertadores has been decided in terms of which two teams will qualify for the knockout stages and one of those teams is Palmeiras.
This week the Brazilian club will face Universitario at home in the final round of group games and they begin this round of fixtures top on 12 points, meaning they cannot be caught by any other team. Universitario are currently bottom of the group on 4 points but still have the opportunity to qualify for the Copa Sudamericana Round of 16.
📣 ¡PRÓXIMO PARTIDO!⚽ @Palmeiras 🆚️ Universitario 🏆 @Libertadores📌 Grupo 🅰️ - Fecha 6🗓 Jueves 27 de mayo⏰ 5:00 p.m. 🇵🇪🏟 Estadio Allianz Parque 📍São Paulo, Brasil 🇧🇷📲 #PALxU #VamosCremas pic.twitter.com/J1pma6Z1LO— Universitario (@Universitario) May 24, 2021
📣 ¡PRÓXIMO PARTIDO!⚽ @Palmeiras 🆚️ Universitario 🏆 @Libertadores📌 Grupo 🅰️ - Fecha 6🗓 Jueves 27 de mayo⏰ 5:00 p.m. 🇵🇪🏟 Estadio Allianz Parque 📍São Paulo, Brasil 🇧🇷📲 #PALxU #VamosCremas pic.twitter.com/J1pma6Z1LO
Palmeiras come into the match having lost 2-0 at Sao Paulo in the Paulista on the weekend. That was the third successive match without a win for Palmeiras having been held at home by Sao Paulo in the first leg of their Paulista tie and defeated by Defensa y Justicia at home in the Copa Libertadores.
The defeat against Defensa y Justicia was the first of the season for Palmeiras in the Copa Libertadores having previously recorded 4 straight victories in the competition.
Overall, their home record in the Copa Libertadores is good and Palmeiras have won 11 of their last 14 Copa Libertadores matches at Allianz Parque.
Trends show Palmeiras are reaching an average of 2.80 goals in Copa Libertadores games but have conceded an average of 2 goals in their home matches in the competition this season. However, all 4 of the goals conceded came in the one game against Defensa y Justicia.
Universitario come into the match on the back of 0-0 draw at home against Carlos Mannucci in the Peru Primera Division. That result sees them in third place in their domestic league having played 9 games, 4 points off the leader.
The draw also sees them extend their unbeaten run and Universitario are undefeated in their 6 most recent matches in all competitions.
In terms of the Copa Libertadores, Universitario made a slow start to the competition and they lost each of their first 3 fixtures. However, there have been some signs of improvement in recent games and Universitario picked up a point in a 1-1 draw at home with Defensa y Justicia before beating Independiente Valle 3-2 at home.
Trends show Universitario have failed to score a goal in each of their last 3 away Copa Libertadores games. They have also been struggling defensively this season and have conceded 13 goals in only 5 matches.
Team news and Palmeiras will be without Vanderlan who is suspended having been sent off in the previous fixture. Abel Ferreira may choose to rest several first team players.
Universitario could opt to go with two in attack for a game they need to win to have a good chance of remaining in South American competition. Enzo Gutiérrez and Alex Valera could both start the game.
We expect to see plenty of goals in this match, with over 2.5 goals and both teams scoring. However, even with a weaker team, this is a game the hosts will expect to win and Palmeiras should end the group with a victory.