Cuiaba vs Palestino Prediction: Everything is possible between these two sides

Palestino failed to win in the first match despite better performances and taking the lead in the first half. Cuiaba this season plays amazingly in the second halves, and it was the case in the first match when they scored a goal for a draw and kept the result until the end. With that result, they remained undefeated this season in Copa Sudamericana. Cuiaba have the home-field advantage in the second leg while Palestino have the experience of playing in the knockout phase in international competition. We expect a tense match at Arena Pantanal in Cuiaba on Friday at 1:00 a.m.

Form: LDWDL

This is the first home match for Cuiaba in this phase of some international competition. They are also playing for the first-ever qualifying for the round of 8. Their form at home is a bit worrying as they haven’t won 4 matches in a row in this stadium, drawing 2 and losing 2. It’s obvious that they can’t keep the pace on two fronts, domestic and international, but placement in the next phase will be a huge success for this Brazilian team. Recently their manager Petit has changed the starting lineup very often, but for this match, Cuiaba is expected to play with the same lineup as in the first match.

Form: LDWDW

Palestino were the better team in the first match, but they failed to win. The pressure is huge on this team as well as they haven’t been in the round of 8 of this competition since 2016. Playing away from home is their main issue this season, and that is why they were knocked out of the group stage of Copa Libertadores as they won only 1 point in 3 away matches. However, in the last 5 away matches, they have 2 wins, 2 draws, and a defeat, and it gives them hope for a positive result in this match in Brazil. Palestino in this match will be without Nicolas Meza who missed the first match as well due to an injury.

I expect both of these teams to play more carefully and defensively oriented as neither one of them wants to be knocked out of this competition. The home side are fully focused on Copa Sudamericana and I expect more of them, especially at home. Palestino don’t have nice experiences of playing against Brazilian teams in Brazil, so I will go with the home team to qualify for the next round in a match with very few goals.