Flamengo vs Palestino Prediction and Betting Tips: Best bets for Copa Libertadores clash

After the disappointment of being held to a 1-1 draw in their opening group game at Millonarios, Flamengo will be looking to kick-start their Copa Libertadores campaign when they host Palestino in the early hours of Thursday morning (01:30 BST).

Having finished in fourth place in Brazil’s Serie A last season, Flamengo find themselves drawn in Group E of the Copa Libertadores this term, alongside Bolivar from Bolivia, Columbia’s Millonarios and Thursday’s opponents from Chile in the form of Palestino.

After an opening week to forget, Palestino have given themselves a mountain to climb if they are to go on and reach the knockout stages, after a 4-0 thrashing on home soil in their opening game against Bolivar.

An even sterner test should await Palestino when they head to the famous Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro to face the Brazilian giants.

Flamengo vs Palestino Betting Tips

• Guilherme Pedro to score first @ 21/10 with bet365
• Over 5.5 total goals @ 11/2 with bet365

The main threat in the Flamengo attack, Brazil international Guilherme Pedro is certainly a player to look out for in the first goalscorer market.

Former Fluminense and Fiorentina striker Pedro has already opened his goalscoring account this season with a penalty in the 1-1 draw with Millonarios last time out, as he once again showed how prolific he can be from the spot.

The 26-year-old was Flamengo’s top goalscorer in Serie A last season, finding the back of the net 13 times.

Only four players in the entire Brazilian top-flight scored more goals than the Flamengo attacker last term.

Considering his form and Palestino’s defensive woes on home soil last time out against Bolivar, Pedro is certainly worth considering to open the scoring at the Maracana.

This is an encounter that might well be a goal-fest in Rio in the early hours of Thursday morning.

When it comes to Flamengo in the Copa Libertadores, the Scarlet & Blacks have put up some big home victories in the past.

In 2021 Flamengo beat Olimpia 5-1, while a year later the hosts romped to an impressive 7-1 victory over Deportes Tolima in Rio.

With former Brazil boss Tite at the helm, Flamengo have the quality and the tactics to put up another big score on home soil against a Palestino side who really looked to be out of their depth in their last outing against Bolivar.

Flamengo have won all of their last 14 home games in the Copa Libertadores, with their last defeat in South America’s biggest club competition having come back in 2020 with a penalty shootout defeat at the hands of Racing Club.

This should be a comfortable win for the Tite’s side, who with the help of in-from striker Pedro, can win a contest that can have over 5.5 total goals across the 90 minutes.