The hosts are heading into the match on the back of a disappointing 3-0 defeat at Internacional last weekend, while Palmieras got the better of Ceara 2-1 in their recent outing.
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Atletico Mineiro will host fellow Brazilian club Palmeiras in the first leg of the Copa Libertadores quarter-final tie at Mineirao on Thursday. The hosts are heading into the match on the back of a disappointing 3-0 defeat at Internacional in a Brazilian top flight match last weekend, while Palmieras got the better of Ceara 2-1 in their recent outing a day earlier. Palmeiras have been in superb form in the domestic circuit, collecting 42 points from 20 games to sit at the summit of the Brazil Serie A standings, while Mineiro are six places behind them with 32 points.
? #DiaDePalmeiras
⚽ Atlético-MG x Palmeiras
? @LibertadoresBR
? Mineirão
⏰ 21h30
? ESPN
? https://t.co/UhuRdw1S9r#AvantiPalestra #CAMxPAL#AlmaECoração https://t.co/M8hnfHwgAR— SE Palmeiras (@Palmeiras) August 3, 2022
Mineiro made it this far in the competition after securing a 2-1 aggregate win over Emelec in the previous round. The first leg of the last-16 tie had ended in a 1-1 draw after Ademir’s opener was canceled out by Sebastian Rodriguez from the penalty spot. In the second leg on July 5, Hulk’s lone goal from the penalty spot was enough to separate the two sides and take the Brazilian outfit through to the last-8 stage. Since the victory against the Ecuadorian club, Galo’s form hasn’t been very great, registering just one win in six domestic games including the cup fixture.
Palmeiras, on the other hand, thrashed Cerro Porteno 8-0 over two legs in the last-8 tie of the competition. The first leg encounter in Paraguay ended 3-0 in favour of the Brazilian club courtesy of a brace from Rony and one goal from Murilo Cerqueira. And then, in the home leg, Abel Ferreira ‘s side netted five times without reply through another brace from Rony and one goal each from Braian Samudio, Breno Lopes and Gustabvo Gomez. Meanwhile in their last outing against Ceara, Dudu and Jose Lopez netted for Palmeiras to take all three points and move four points clear at the summit of the Serie A standings.
Atletico Mineiro have not reported any fresh injuries so cuca should opt for a strong starting eleven. Hulk is expected to lead the line with Hernandez playing behind him in a free role, while Zaracho and Keno occupying the flanks. Jair and Allan could pull the strings from the midfield. As for Palmeiras, central defender Henri is sidelined with an injury, while in-form forward Rony is doubtful because of a muscle problem. Rocha, Gomez, Cerqueira and Vanderlan are expected to form the back-four with Danilo and Ze Rafael sitting in front of them.
Atletico Mineiro probable starting lineup: Everson; Mariano, Rabello, Alonso, Arana; Jair, Allan; Zaracho, Hernandez, Keno; Hulk
Palmeiras probable starting lineup: Weverton; Rocha, Gomez, Cerqueira, Vanderlan; Danilo, Ze Rafael; Scarpa, Veiga, Dudu; Lopez
The Copa Libertadores match between Atletico Mineiro and Palmeiras will take place at Mineirao on Thursday at 6:00 am IST.
| Atletico Mineiro vs Palmeiras | Key details |
| Date | August 3 (Brazil) |
| Venue | Mineirao |
| Kickoff time in Brazil | 9:30 pm (Wednesday) |
| Kickoff time in India | 6:00 am (Thursday) |
The Copa Libertadores matches are televised on beIN Sports, fuboTV, Fanatiz, Sling World Sports and Vidgo
