São Paulo vs Palmeiras Prediction: The rivalry remains intense

These two giants of Brazilian football will meet for the second time this season and the 318th time in history. São Paulo has won 110 matches, Palmeiras 106, and the King Clash ended with a draw 101 times in a rivalry that has always been intense despite the clubs' good and bad times. This year, São Paulo won the Supercopa do Brasil against Palmeiras on penalties, and the Verdão certainly hasn't forgotten it.

The Tricolor Paulista still hasn't secured its passage to the quarter-finals, so this derby is even more significant for Thiago Carpini's team. São Paulo leads Group D with 18 points, the same as Novorizontino and three more than São Bernardo. With just two rounds left to play in the Paulistão first phase, a defeat against Palmeiras could complicate qualification for the knockout stage. In the last match, São Paulo broke a four-game winless streak by beating away Inter de Limeira 3-0.

The Verdão has been the best side in the Campeonato Paulista, with 24 points and the only one without a defeat. In its last match, Abel Ferreira's team beat Portuguesa 2-0 in a postponed Round 5 match and now has seven wins and three draws from ten games. With first place secured, whether Palmeiras will face Ponte Preta or Água Santa in the quarter-finals remains to be seen. As for the derby, Palmeiras naturally wants to win and avenge the Supercopa do Brasil defeat.

There are no favorites in this clash. It's a classic, it's a derby, it's a game between the cup and super cup winner, São Paulo, and the Brazilian and Paulista champion, Palmeiras. The host needs points to guarantee a place in the quarter-finals. The guest wants to win because it's a club used to victories and has unfinished business with its rival after the defeat in the Supercopa do Brasil. I predict a balanced game that could end in a draw, but I'm going for a Double Chance on Palmeiras with a goal total under 4.5. Abel Ferreira's team isn't under pressure like São Paulo.