Palmeiras vs Internacional Predictions

Thursday’s Brazilian Cup quarter final, first leg action sees Palmeiras going up against Internaciona at the Allianz Parque. The hosts will be looking to open up an advantage to take with them into the second leg.

Having romped to the Serie A title last season under legendary boss Luiz Felipe Scolari, Palmeiras are looking a seriously powerful outfit once again this year and winning the Brazilian Cup is clearly one of their objectives. With a squad packed with supreme talent in all areas of the pitch, which has just had ex-Chelsea man Ramires added to it, Palmeiras go into every match they play as overwhelming favourites.

Indeed, the side are in simply stunning form and have won their last 10 competitive matches; a run made all the more remarkable when taking into account they’ve conceded just once during it. The hosts score goals for fun and are almost impenetrable defensively and they’ll be highly motivated to demonstrate both traits once again on Thursday.

Palmeiras will have to keep their standards high if they are to advance from the tie however, with a more than handy Internacional outfit the opponent. Inter were an impressive side upon their return to the top flight last season and have remained strong this year, winning their Copa Libertadores group as well as making a good start to the Serie A season, curently standing 4th.

Like Palmeiras, Inter are also looking to challenge on all fronts this season and thus, Thursday’s game is an important one for them. Nonetheless, it’s hard to ignore the fact that they are a far stronger outfit when at home and just 1 win from the last 6 as visitors hardly has them brimming with confidence coming into this trip.

Ultimately, we’ve already had huge success in backing Palmeiras over the last year or so and they are one of the most consistent and reliable outfits in world football. They are simply a winning machine at the moment and appear to have far too much quality for all comers.

Internacional aren’t a bad team, but we can’t see them troubling Palmeiras greatly in this match and thus, backing the hosts to win to nil looks the way to play. Palmeiras have kept a clean sheet in their last 12 home games and with the visitors likely to play in a defensive manner, that sequence should continue in a routine 2-0 home win.