Flamengo vs Palestino Prediction: Team News and Lineups Preview

The 2024 Copa Libertadores fixtures are coming thick and fast, which means South American expert Nathan Joyes is back with his Flamengo vs Palestino prediction, team news, lineups and fixtures preview. 

The tournament favourites failed to hold on to their 1-0 lead away to Millonarios but back at the Maracana they should record a comfortable victory over Palestino who were embarrassed 4-0 vs Bolivar in round one of the Copa Libertadores.

• Flamengo vs Palestino Tip 1: Flamengo HT/FT and Over 2.5 Goals
• Flamengo vs Palestino Tip 2: Pedro to Score Anytime
• Flamengo vs Palestino Tip 3: Flamengo to Score in Both Halves

Flamengo vs Palestino Prediction 1: Early Lead

Brazil, Copa Libertadores, Thursday, April 11th, 01:30 (UK)

Flamengo were held to a 1-1 draw with Millonarios in their opening Libertadores fixture, but reading between the lines it could be a good point further down the line.

The altitude and warm conditions made it extremely tough for the Brazilians, while Tite also chose to rotate his squad with the Carioca final taking place on Sunday the 7th. With the second leg now done and dusted, expect Tite to return to a full-strength side capable of playing Palestino off the park.

The visitors suffered a 4-0 home defeat to Bolivar in their first match, which doesn’t bode well for the rest of their campaign. Being pulled apart by a Bolivian team away from their high altitude raises questions about whether they have what it takes to compete at this level.

If Flamengo field a near full strength side, they should pull Palestino apart in front of their own fans and record a sizable victory in the process.

• Flamengo vs Palestino Prediction 1: Flamengo HT/FT and Over 2.5 Goals
• Best Odds: 2.00
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 8/10

Flamengo vs Palestino Prediction 2: Pedro to produce the goods

The 2022 Libertadores top goalscorer has been in phenomenal form during the early stages of the 2024 campaign, scoring 12 goals in his last ten appearances. 

The Brazilian was on penalty duty vs Millonarios, and calmly dispatched his penalty in an intimidating environment.

Last season, Pedro fell out of favour with certain coaches last season and almost left the club, but he still managed to score 31 goals across all competitions. Pedro is key to Flamengo’s success, and the striker would be a welcome addition to any team in the Libertadores.

The definition of a fox in a box, Pedro scored three goals in six Libertadores appearances during Flamengo’s poor 2023 campaign, and Tite has made him his number nine since his arrival at the end of last season.

Palestino’s defence failed to cope with Bolivar, and a trip to the Maracana is likely to overwhelm the Chileans and although odds-on, Pedro should get on the scoresheet if he starts.

If you place this bet on bet365 and Pedro doesn’t start, you can make your bet void if you’d like to cover yourself.

• Flamengo vs Palestino Prediction 2: Pedro to Score Anytime
• Best Odds: 1.75
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 7/10

Flamengo vs Palestino Prediction 3: Dominance in both halves

Flamengo have won their last 14 matches at home in this competition, recording some huge victories along the way.

Last year, they defeated Colombian outfit Aucas 4-0, who are arguably a much stronger side than Palestino, who’ll know they will be in for a long evening.

The hosts scored in both halves in that particular fixture as well as against Argentina’s Racing during the group stage. Palestino lost both halves 2-0 vs Bolivar, and the last time they travelled to Brazil in this competition they conceded three against Internacional.

With the likes of Nicolas de la Cruz, de Arrascaeta, Pedro and Bruno Henrique within their ranks, this is the perfect fixture for Flamengo to make a statement victory and show why they are the favourites to win the Libertadores.

Anything less than a convincing win for the Brazilians will feel underwhelming, so expect Tite to pick a side that can comfortably take Palestino apart.

• Flamengo vs Palestino Prediction 3: Flamengo to Score in Both Halves
• Best Odds: 1.66
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 7/10

Flamengo vs Palestino Prediction odds via bet365 as at 17:00, April 1st, 2024. Odds may now differ.

Flamengo vs Palestino Team News and Possible Lineups: First team players back in action

As I’ve mentioned, Tite experimented with his starting XI in the first round, but back on home soil, the former Brazilian coach will be looking to secure a victory and get up and running.

David Luiz made a rare start in Colombia, as did up-and-coming Igor Jesus, who looks to be a promising youngster on Flamengo’s books. However, both are likely to sit out vs Palestino as Tite potentially welcomes back Leo Ortiz and Everton or Luis Araujo to the team.

Palestino will be without their highly promising 17-year-old centre-back Ivan Roman, who was sent off vs Bolivar.

Flamengo possible starting lineup:
Rossi; Lucas, Bruno, Pereira, Varela, Everton, Araujo, Pulgar, de la Cruz, de Arrascaeta, Pedro 

Palestino possible starting lineup:
Rigamonti; Zuniga, Suarez, Gavilan, Rojas, Cornejo, Linares, Carvajal, Carrasco, Sosa, Benitez

Match Stats: Hosts to coast to victory

• Flamengo has won their last 14 Copa Libertadores matches at the Maracana.
• Palestino suffered their heaviest Libertadores defeat vs Bolivar in round one.
• Flamengo’s Pedro was the Libertadores top goalscorer in 2022 and opened his account vs Millonarios in round one.

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