Palestino vs Flamengo Prediction: Brazilians to bounce back in Coquimbo

Palestino host Flamengo at the Estadio Francisco Sanchez Rumoroso on Wednesday (KO, 01:00) looking to avenge a 2-0 defeat to the Brazilian giants in Rio de Janeiro last month.

Read below for my Palestino vs Flamengo prediction ahead of this 2024 Copa Libertadores Group E encounter in Coquimbo, Chile, where both sides will be looking to boost their qualification hopes.

Palestino made a disastrous start to the tournament as they suffered back-to-back defeats at home to Bolivian outfit Bolivar (0-4) and away to Flamengo (0-2), but the Chileans recovered from those disappointments to beat Colombian side Millonarios 3-1 in their last Group E game on April 26.

Felipe Chamorro was the hero for Palestino, as he struck either side of a goal from Millonarios forward Leonardo Castro before substitute Brayan Vejar sealed the win later on.

Flamengo, meanwhile, began the campaign with a 1-1 draw in Bogota as they were held by 10-man Millonarios. They did beat Palestino in their next group game, but then fell to a 2-1 defeat in La Paz against Bolivar on April 25.

Currently, just a point separates Flamengo (second) and Palestino (third), with Bolivar leading the way in first on nine points.

Team News

Palestino number nine Gonzalo Ariel Sosa has missed his side's last three matches and has been left out of the squad again for Wednesday.

Flamengo forward Everton trained normally on Monday and is in contention to make his return from an injury to his right calf, which has kept the 28-year-old out of action since April 18.

Uruguay international Giorgian de Arrascaeta has remained in Rio de Janeiro, however, to recuperate from an injury to his right thigh. His compatriot, Erick Pulgar, is also out due to a left ankle sprain.

The biggest news, though, is that Gabriel 'Gabigol' Barbosa, who in March received a two-year ban for attempted anti-doping fraud, has been named in a Copa Libertadores squad for the first time this season after recently being cleared to resume playing by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) pending an appeal against his ban.

Gabigol returned to action in a cup game against Amazonas on May 2 before being an unused substitute in a 1-1 draw with Bragantino on Saturday.

Match Odds

Palestino beat Millonarios last time out in this competition but are unfancied against the might of Flamengo, who are 2/5 to beat them on their own turf. That gives the Brazilians an implied win probability of 71.4%, while the Chileans are 6/1 - or a 14.3% chance - to win back-to-back Copa Libertadores games.

The draw can be backed at 3/1, both teams to score at 11/10, and a repeat of the 2-0 scoreline in favour of Flamengo last month at 5/1.

Flamengo to win & under 3.5 goals @ 19/20

Flamengo have struggled for wins recently, triumphing in just one of their last five matches across all competitions - a 1-0 victory over second-division side Amazonas in the first leg of their Copa do Brasil tie last Thursday.

They have faced some tough games in that period, however, with trips to Bolivar (1-2) and Bragantino (1-1) particularly tough assignments on paper.

O Rubro-Negro should be buoyed by another meeting with Palestino, though, after beating Wednesday's opponents with relative ease less than a month ago. Pedro opened the scoring in the 21st minute at the Maracana before Leo Ortiz sealed victory late on in the second half.

Pulgar and de Arrascaeta started that game and will be missing in midweek, but the return of Gabigol is a welcome boost for the Brazilians.

Palestino beat Millonarios at home in their last group game but were well beaten by Bolivar at the same venue a few weeks earlier.

I don't see Flamengo hitting them for four like Bolivar did, in a match where Palestino were reduced to 10 men before half-time, but the visitors should have enough to move four points ahead of their hosts.

All three of Flamego's group games so far have seen three goals or fewer scored, and I wouldn't be surprised to see the same on Wednesday.

Half-time/full-time - Draw/Flamengo @ 3/1

Flamengo were in the lead at half-time in April's reverse fixture before adding another without reply in the second, but their other two group games saw them head into the interval with the score level.

I think we could be in for a low-key start on Wednesday, with Flamengo happy to play a patient game knowing the quality they have in their ranks to open up Palestino at any given opportunity.

The hosts, meanwhile, would probably be happy to take a point, and that means they are unlikely to go gung-ho, especially from the start.

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