Palmeiras (Brazil) vs San Lorenzo (Argentina)
SE Palmeiras secured their spot in the Copa Libertadores’ round-of-16 last time out, when they secured a deserved 2-1 home success over Independiente del Valle. O Verdao made it 13 points and already clinched the first place in group F. Last Thursday, Abel Ferreira’s men drew 0-0 away at second-tier side Botafogo SP, advancing to the Copa do Brasil round-of-16 via a 2-1 aggregate result. They are ninth-placed in the league table on eight points after six rounds. Overall, Palmeiras lost only one of their last nine competitive matches, winning five and drawing three. At home, the side lost one of the last four, with two wins and one draw.
Meanwhile, San Lorenzo took a giant step towards next round thanks to a massive 3-2 home success over Uruguay’s Liverpool FC thanks to a strike from Gaston Campi in the 87th minute. El Ciclon are now second-placed in group F on seven points and will qualify for the round-of-16 in the event of avoiding the defeat here. On Saturday, Leandro Romagnoli’s men saw their away game at Godoy Cruz abandoned when the score was 1-1. They collected a single point from six on offer in the Liga Profesional so far. San Lorenzo succumbed to a single loss across their last four games in all competitions, winning two and drawing one. San Lorenzo remain without a win on the road in 2024 (it’s been five draws and five losses).
San Lorenzo needs at least a draw to advance without thinking about the other game and they will face this Palmeiras that has already secured the 1st place. The brazilians are of course the best of these two, but with only one team really focused and considering San Lorenzo has shown some decent performances lately, I expect them to be able to get what they need and advance to the next round.