Fluminense vs Atletico Paranaese Predictions

Wednesday’s Copa Sudamericana semi-final, second leg action sees Fluminense and Atletico PR doing battle. The visitors will be looking to book their place in the final by holding onto their 2-0 lead established in the first leg.

Fluminense have left themselves with lots of work to do after a very poor performance in the first leg and trying to reach the final is not Tricolor’s only concern at the moment; with the club in the midst of a fully blow crisis on and off the pitch, leaving confidence and spirits very low ahead of Wednesday’s match.

Off the pitch, financial issues have seen problems in the payment of the squad’s wages and tension in the stands as a result of the current situation, whilst on the pitch, Fluminense are in dreadful form. Remarkably, given they were in the top half just weeks ago, the side go into Sunday’s Serie A final day clash with America Mineiro with the chance of being relegated should they lose; thanks to a terrible run of 7 matches without victory across all competitions, in which they’ve not even so much as scored a single goal.

Meanwhile, currently 7th in regular league action, it’s been a great season for Atletico PR when coupled with their continental exploits and all focus in now on going one step further to securing the Sudamericana crown. Tiago Nunes’ men were excellent in the first leg and used their home advantage well and travelled knowing only a dreadful showing would see them eliminated.

Whilst Atletico haven’t really been a powerful force on the road in their league matches, they’ve showed great resolve away from home in the Sudamericana and that will give them great belief in getting the job done. Wins at Penarol, Caracas and Bahia have all played big roles in getting the visitors to this point of the competition and also unbeaten in 6 matches across all competitions, spirits are high in travelling ranks coming into this game.

Ultimately, in their current shape, Fluminense are highly unlikely to turn this tie on its head and you can all but rule them out of contesting the final. At minimum, they somehow need to come up with two goals to have any chance and having not even scored one in a month’s worth of football, you just cannot see any way back for them.

With Atletico PR likely to bring a defensive game plan, backing a draw may well be a smart way to play here and at current prices, that’s where our money is going. If Atletico had any need for the win we’d fancy them to get it but given the scoreline going into the tie, we envisage the visitors sitting deep and looking to frustrate the hosts and that’s not something that should be too difficult to achieve, with a 0-0 draw appearing to be on the cards.