Prediction: Palmeiras vs Internacional

Verdict: Palmeiras win

Best Odds: 3/5

Bookmaker: Unibet

Two sides who find themselves battling it out at the top of the Brazil Serie A table, Palmeiras will welcome Internacional to the Allianz Parque on Sunday night.

Palmeiras

Starting with the hosts, last seen earlier in the week putting in a hugely impressive display away at a high-flying America-MG, Palmeiras will be desperate to build off of that success here. Eventually claiming a 1-0 win away at the title contenders, there is no doubt that the mood in Abel Ferreira’s camp should be at a red-hot high. Now opening up Sunday’s meeting at the Allianz Parque holding a four-point buffer over the chasing pack, the Verdão are enjoying a five-match unbeaten run across all formats. Likewise, suffering just a single defeat over the past month, Palmeiras have also impressed with their rugged displays at the back. Along with keeping a clean sheet in four of their last five contests, it should also be noted that Ferreira’s side have shipped just 12 strikes throughout the 2022 campaign – the best defensive tally in Spain’s top-flight. Landing a 1-0 win when they last welcomed Internacional to town, the Serie A leaders are rightfully tipped as a standout pick here.

Team News

Coming off the bench and bagging the winner away at America-MG earlier in the week, 28-year-old Gustavo Scarpa will be hoping for a full recall here.

However, all still dealing with injury issues, Palmeiras should once again be without the likes of Rony, Rafael Navarro, Jorge and Jailson on Sunday night.

Internacional

As for the visitors, throwing away the lead on three separate occasions earlier in the week as they eventually played out an action-packed 3-3 draw against Sao Paulo, Internacional would have been filling like they missed a real chance. While Mano Menezes’ men might find themselves sat just a single point adrift of breaking back into the top-four, they have shown some recent inconstancies. Now winning just a pair of their last six matchups across all formats, a run that stems back to June 25th, the Colorado will be more than aware that they face a real task on Sunday night. Likewise, now having to settle for a single point in three of their last four Serie A showdowns, Internacional have also struggled to find much form on the road. Including a 2-0 defeat away at Colo Colo while on Copa Sudamericana duties last month, Menezes’ side have won just one of their last five matchups away from the Estádio Beira-Rio.

Team News

Bagging a brace against Sao Paulo earlier in the week, 32-year-old Pedro Henrique will spearhead Internacional’s charge on Sunday night.

Both suffering from thigh injuries, the duo of Alan Patrick and Taison will miss out here.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last faced off back in October 2021, Palmeiras picked up a 1-0 victory at the Allianz Parque.
• Likewise, Sunday’s hosts have lost just one of their previous five meetings against Internacional.
• The Colorado have managed to win just a pair of their last nine away fixtures across all formats.
• Palmeiras have kept a clean sheet in four of their previous five matchups across all formats.
• Each of the last 14 straight meetings between Sunday’s opponents have seen under 3.5 goals by the final whistle.

Conclusion

While Internacional might be enjoying their own extended unbeaten run, there is no doubt that they face a huge task on Sunday night. Watching the leaders extending their buffer at the top of the Serie A table with an eye-catching 1-0 victory away at America-MG earlier in the week, Palmeiras are enjoying quite the purple patch. Gaining a reputation for their rugged displays at the back, Ferreira’s squad will be looking to lay down another marker here. Likewise, landing a 1-0 win when they last welcomed Internacional to the Allianz Parque, we’re backing a similar outcome here.

Verdict: Palmeiras win

Best Odds: 3/5

Bookmaker: Unibet