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Palmeiras host Athletico Paranaense at the Allianz Parque in the second leg of the Recopa Sudamericana on Wednesday.
The first leg fixture in Curitiba last week ended in a 2-2 draw, setting up a showdown in this second leg between the two interstate rivals. The hosts remained unbeaten in the Paulista A1 as they were held to a goalless draw at Internacional de Limeira on Sunday.
Athletico Paranaense suffered their first defeat of the campaign as they fell to a 2-1 loss at home to Operario, with Marcelo Oliveira Pinto bagging a first-half brace.
Palmeiras vs Athletico Paranaense Head-to-Head
In the 35 games contested between the two sides since 2001, the home side lead 15-9 in wins while 11 games have ended in draws. The last two fixtures between the two rivals have ended in draws.
Palmeiras form guide (all competitions): D-D-W-W-L
Athletico Paranaense form guide (all competitions): L-D-W-D-W
Palmeiras vs Athletico Paranaense Team News
Palmeiras
Centre-back Luan is the only player who will be unavailable for Verdão with a thigh injury. Gustavo Scarpa has trained ahead of the game and is in contention to start here.
Gustavo Gómez has recovered from COVID-19 and will be available for this decisive second-leg tie.
Injured: Luan
Suspended: None
Unavailable: None
Athletico Paranaense
Pedro Rocha's calf injury will keep him out of the second leg as well. Vitor Bueno will serve the second of his two-game suspension here.
Matheus Babi is a long-term absentee with a ligament injury but Pablo returns for the game, having recovered from a thigh strain. Marcinho has been relieved of his services by the club and, pending the formalities, remains unavailable for the game.
Injured: Matheus Babi, Pedro Rocha
Suspended: Vitor Bueno
Unavailable: Marcinho
Palmeiras vs Athletico Paranaense Prediction
Palmeiras Predicted XI (4-3-3): Weverton (GK); Marcos Rocha, Benjamín Kuscevic, Murilo Cerqueira, Joaquín Piquerez; Danilo, Jailson, Eduard Atuesta; Dudu, Rony, Raphael Veiga
Athletico Paranaense Predicted XI (3-5-2): Santos (GK); Pedrinho, Thiago Heleno, Zé Ivaldo; Abner Erick, Christian, Juninho, Leo Cittadini, David Terans; Rômulo José Cardoso da Cruz, Pablo
Palmeiras vs Athletico Paranaense Predicted XI
Rubro-Negro performed well in the first leg at home but suffered a defeat in the league just a couple of days later. The hosts are yet to concede a goal at home this campaign in four games so far and are the favorites here.
Athletico are not expected to go down without a fight but Palmeiras' home record indicates that a win is on the cards for them.
Prediction: Palmeiras 2-1 Athletico Paranaense
