Palestino vs Independiente Medellin Predictions

Wednesday’s Copa Libertadores second round qualification, first leg clash sees Chileans Palestino and Colombians Independiente Medellin doing battle. Plenty of action is expected at both ends of the pitch but the hosts arrive as the favourites to establish an advantage ahead of the second leg.

After last appearing in the Libertadores in 2015, Palestino are back after lifting the Copa Chile last season. Tricolor have been involved in the Sudamericana since then, but nothing compares to a South America’s premier competition and fans are hopeful of seeing their side at least make the group stage.

If Palestino are to get there, they’ll certainly have to perform, with their opponents here ranking as a stern test over two legs and the Chileans actually arrive as slight underdogs over the course of two legs. Wednesday’s home leg is crucial to the side’s chances of progressing from the tie, with DIM very strong at home, but confidence can be high in picking up a positive result, having recorded wins in each of the last 4 games in front of the home crowd.

Meanwhile, the visitors are returning to the competition after a shorter, 1 year absence but are far from regulars in the Libertadores, having last competed in 2010 prior to their 2017 appearance. Having qualified courtesy of topping the aggregate domestic table last season, the visitors currently rank as one of Colombia’s most powerful outfits and that has hopes high of a sustained continental run.

That being said, DIM have made a very poor start to the new domestic campaign and confidence is hardly flowing in visiting ranks, with just 1 point collected from their opening 3 league matches. Having scored 4 goals across said matches, problems aren’t coming in the final third but in defensive lines, with poor showings at the back leading to 6 goals being conceded.

Ultimately, this appears a tie that will almost certainly be settled by whoever best uses their home advantage, putting the pressure on Palestino on the night. Nonetheless, in good home form and up against an away side that’s lost 4 of their last 5 games on the road, the Chileans prospects do look bright as regards taking the lead.

As such, the price on offer for the home win is one we’re more than happy to take but that’s not all we like the look of, with a home win in combination with both nets being hit also appearing an excellent play. 16 of Palestino’s last 20 home matches have seen goals at both ends and with DIM’s last 5 outings also having seen both sides score, there looks to be real potential in said market and we think the hosts will run out 2-1 winners.