Palmeiras play host to Barcelona SC on Wednesday evening knowing that a point will be enough to secure their progress to the next phase of the Copa Libertadores.
Meanwhile, their Group C opponents are aware that they need to prevail at Allianz Parque if they are not to solely turn their attention to trying to ensure that they drop down into the Copa Sudamericana.
Match preview
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Palmeiras may not have always performed at their best since the beginning of the 2023 season, but they possess the only undefeated record in the Brazilian top flight after nine matches.
Five wins and four draws have been recorded during that period, keeping the club in second place and two points adrift of leaders Botafogo.
Nevertheless, as much as they want to defend their league crown, Abel Ferreira is determined to regain the Copa Libertadores, a trophy that they had won twice in succession before their semi-final exit in 2022.
Reaching the round of 16 is well within their grasp with only a point being required from their remaining two fixtures, yet Ferreira will want to finish above current Group C leaders Bolivar.
Palmeiras host their rivals for top spot on the final gameweek, but in the short term, they will want to build another undefeated streak in all competitions having recently saw a 15-match run ended by defeat to Fortaleza in the Copa do Brasil.
From the perspective of Barcelona, they are caught between wanting to throw everything at trying to salvage a spot in the knockout rounds and accepting the more realistic opportunity of dropping down into the Copa Sudamericana.
A win on Wednesday night may prove to be enough to seal the latter, but a defeat could potentially hand the advantage to bottom-placed Cerro Porteno ahead of their showdown on June 29.
Fabian Bustos could decide that settling for the consolation prize is logical with Barcelona heading into this fixture on the back of three defeats in a row.
Seven goals have been shipped in their last two Ecuadorian top-flight fixtures, the club dropping down to fourth in the table and eight points adrift of leaders Independiente Valle.
Team News
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Palmeiras will have to make do without Richard Rios after he was sent off after being introduced as a substitute against Cerro Porteno.
Gabriel Menino seems likely to miss out after going off injured at the weekend, with Fabinho in line to get the nod in his place given that Rios is ruled out.
After succumbing to another defeat at the weekend, Bustos will have to consider making more alterations to his confidence-shy team.
Adonis Preciado is pushing for a recall on the right flank, while Agustin Rodriguez may be provided with an opportunity down the centre of the attack.
Jeison Mina could be an alternative in defence, although Bustos may opt against tinkering with a settled back four for a fixture of this magnitude.
Palmeiras possible starting lineup:
Weverton; Mayke, Luan, Gomez, Piquerez; Fabinho, Ze Rafael; Artur, Guilherme, Dudu, Rony
Barcelona SC possible starting lineup:
Mendoza; Velasco, Sosa, Quinonez, Portocerrero; Pinatares, Leonai; Preciado, Ortiz, Corozo; Rodriguez
We say: Palmeiras 3-1 Barcelona SC
Having lost convincingly in the reverse fixture, Barcelona are clear underdogs to get anything from this game. While we feel that their attacking approach could lead to a goal, it may only be a consolation with Palmeiras' superior quality expected to prove decisive.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Darren Plant
