Atletico Paranaese vs Fluminense Predictions

Wednesday’s Copa Sudamericana semi final first leg clash is an all-Brazilian affair between Atletico PR and Fluminense. The hosts will be looking to establish an advantage to take with them into the return leg.

Despite being in the running for a Copa Libertadores spot in league action, Atletico are clearly prioritising the chance of continental glory, after resting all of their usual starters in the 2-1 defeat to Internacional over the weekend. Having seen off Newell’s, Penarol, Caracas and Bahia to reach this point of the competition, it’s been a good run for Furacão so far but it’ll all count for nothing if they crash out.

Tiago Nunes’ men almost slipped up in the quarter final last week, losing their second leg 1-0 on home soil but advancing via penalties. Another home defeat is not something they can afford once again in this clash but having still won 12 of their last 13 games in front of the home crowd, confidence should be high in getting the job done.

Meanwhile, Fluminense didn’t make as many wholesale changes in their derby clash with Vasco over the weekend, but they still fell to a demoralising 1-0 defeat. Nonetheless, currently 10th in the Serie A table and at this stage of the Sudamericana after eliminating Nacional Potosi, Defensor Sporting, Deportivo Cuenca and Nacional, it’s been a pretty strong year for Tricolor, taking into account their limited financial resources.

In the Sudamericana, Flu have looked incredibly strong, not only advancing from their ties but doing so whilst winning 5 of the last 6 legs. Nonetheless, now facing a strong domestic opponent, they face a big challenge as regards making it into the final and their chances will largely rest upon what they come up with in the second leg, with a positive result in this trip looking unlikely given they’ve won just 5 of their last 18 away game, losing 9 times in the process.

Ultimately, this is a semi final almost certain to be settled by which team uses their home advantage to greater effect. Fluminense are hardly a powerful force on the road whilst Atletico PR haven’t even won a single away match in regular league action all season.

As such, Atletico head into Wednesday’s match knowing there’s very little room for error but we’re more than happy to back them winning. They’ve been incredibly consistent at home in recent months, their last outing there aside and having already convincingly beaten Fluminense as hosts 3-1 just a month and a half ago, we envisage them repeating the feat; this time via a 2-0 margin of victory.