San Lorenzo vs Palmeiras Prediction and Betting Tips: Best bets for Libertadores clash

The Copa Libertadores group stage is getting underway this week and three-time winners Palmerias begin their campaign against Argentine side San Lorenzo, who won this tournament for the first time in 2014.

The game takes place on Thursday 4th April at Estadio Pedro Bidegain, Buenos Aires in Argentina, kicking off at 01:30 BST

Palmeiras have enjoyed great success in this competition in recent years, having lifted the trophy in 2020 ans 2021, and they will fancy their chance of adding a third title to their CV.

San Lorenzo’s triumph back in 2014 remains their sole Copa Libertadores triumph, but they will also have aspirations of going all the way and this has the makings of an intriguing contest.

Palmeiras’ young wonderkid Endrick is off to Real Madrid in July but will be hoping to have a major impact for his current side before his departure.

However, the visitors have a huge second leg against rivals Santos on Sunday in the Brazilian Paulista A1 final, meaning they may well choose to rest many of their stars for this clash.

San Lorenzo may line up similarly to how they did last time out in a 2-1 defeat to Boca Juniors.

Palmeiras are the reigning Brazilian champions and have come to dominate domestic football in that country in recent years.

Aided by young superstar Endrick, they also won the Campeonato Paulista and Supercopa do Brasil last season.

The Big Green were beaten in the semi-finals of the Copa Libertadores and will be aiming to recapture the title they last won in 2021.

The visitors lost their first game of the new season last time out as they went down 1-0 to rivals Santos in the first leg of this year’s Paulista final.

The second game of that tie is on Sunday, meaning that Palmeiras may well choose to rest many of their stars with such a big game brewing.

They take on a San Lorenzo side that have been in solid form too and should not be underestimated, particularly not on home soil.

The hosts have won their last four home games without conceding and this looks likely to be another low-scoring affair.

These teams met twice in the 2019 Copa Libertadores group stages and home advantage turned out to be pivotal in those two meetings, with 1-0 victories recorded for the side playing in front of their own fans.

As this is the first game of the group stages, Palmeiras may be happy to rotate with an eye on Sunday’s clash with Santos and take their chances with an understrength side.

However, San Lorenzo’s strong home record could see them edge a low-scoring win over their Brazilian opponents.

San Lorenzo’s Adam Bareiro has been key to their success this season. The striker netted the only goal in their 2-1 defeat to Boca Juniors last time out, taking his tally to six goals from 11 games this term.

Bareiro is also the home team’s penalty taker so looks the likeliest route to goal in what may be a cagey affair between two teams who tend to prioritise defensive solidity.

Take the home striker to net the first goal.