Fluminense vs Palmeiras Prediction and Betting Tips: Best Bets for Serie A Clash

Palmeiras are firmly in the mix once again for the Brazilian Serie A title - with just three points separating them and from Botafogo at the top of the table - and the Big Green will be hoping to keep the pressure on the leaders with victory over Fluminense on Thursday.

The Tricolors are faltering in the relegation zone, although they put an end to their recent 10-game winless run last time out, thanks in part to the strong defensive performance from former Chelsea man Thiago Silva, who returned to his former club at the beginning of the month.

Fluminense and Palmeiras have had seasons that are polar opposites to one another in 2024, and three points will be of the utmost importance to both sides for very different reasons.

For the hosts, a victory for the Tricolors would mean back-to-back wins for the first time since May across all competitions and would also steer Fluminense move closer to safety, with Mano Menezes’s men currently six points adrift in 19th.

Meanwhile Palmeiras, who stunned many by lifting the Brazilian Serie A title last year despite Botafogo leading by 11 points with 12 games to play, have once again inserted themselves into the picture for top spot and a win could see them leap to the top of the pile as they chase a record-extending 13th top-flight crown.

With so much on the line at the half-way stage of the campaign, defeat could prove to be costly in the long run and so a cagey affair could well be in store at the Maracana.

Reigning champions can edge to crucial victory

Palmeiras have suffered a dip in away form as of late, with Abel Ferreira’s men failing to take all three points in any of their last three on the road, although they still look a good bet to end this streak at Fluminense on Thursday.

The visitors are generally in strong form in all competitions with nine wins from their last 12 matches and only Botafogo have accrued more points in the league over their last 10.

Fluminense’s victory over Cuiaba last time out put an end to their 10-game winless streak - during which they endured a seven-match losing run. Their goalscoring exploits, or lack thereof, is a real issue as they failed to score in six of those 10 fixtures.

Palmeiras are therefore unlikely to be overly troubled at the back and, should they take the lead, it seems likely that will be enough.

Low-scoring affair expected in Rio

Goals have been somewhat of a rare commodity in matches involving either of these sides of late and another low-scoring encounter could be in store.

Each of Fluminense’s last eight games have seen winners in the under 2.5 goals market while the same is true of three of Palmeiras’s last four league matches.

Five of the last seven head-to-heads at the Maracana have also provided fewer than three goals scored, so history is on the side of another meeting with little goalmouth action.