Brazilian side Palmeiras make the trip to Peru for their first group game in this season's Copa Libertadores, and we're bringing you are predictions for Friday's clash.
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Sporting Cristal vs Palmeiras prediction: Away win but BTTS?
Key Stats
- Sporting Cristal scored the most goals in Peru's Liga 1 last season, despite finishing as the runners-up.
- The Peruvian club scored an average of 2.58 goals per game last season.
- Palmeiras were the second top scorers in Serie A last season, netting 60 goals in 38 games.
Correct score prediction: Sporting Cristal vs Palmeiras
We're expecting a few goals in this game as both teams scored plenty of goals in their domestic leagues last season. Sporting Cristal have only failed to score in one of their opening six matches this season but Palmeiras have a superior squad and we're backing the visitors to outscore their hosts by two goals to one.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Palmeiras the clear favourite
- HOME: 5/1 (6.00) – 16.7%
- DRAW: 16/5 (4.20) – 23.8%
- AWAY: 4/7 (1.57) – 63.6%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Palmeiras are the expected winner of this game with a probability of 63.6% and we can't argue with the bookmakers on this selection.
You can find all our predictions for today's games on our football betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: Met twice before
These two clubs locked horns twice in 2013 and on each of those occasions, the home side came away with a narrow victory.
Sporting Cristal preview: Hit Deportivo Binacional for five
Sporting Cristal returned to winning ways at the weekend following back-to-back defeats in Peru's Liga 1.
Martin Cauteruccio scored a goal in either half to establish the hosts a two-goal lead and Sporting Cristal added a further three goals before the final whistle to run out 5-0 winners.
Sporting Cristal now sit sixth in the league table with ten points to their name and a plus-five goal difference.
Predicted lineup: Enríquez (GK), Pasquini, Romero, Chavez, Sosa, Tavara, Pretell, Avila, Cauteruccio, Gonzalez & Castro
Peru Liga 1 10/05/25
W
Ayacucho FC
1
Sporting Cristal
4
Copa Libertadores 08/05/25
W
Bolivar
1
Sporting Cristal
2
Peru Liga 1 28/04/25
W
Juan Pablo II College
2
Sporting Cristal
3
Copa Libertadores 25/04/25
D
Cerro Porteno
2
Sporting Cristal
2
Peru Liga 1 19/04/25
L
Alianza Atletico
1
Sporting Cristal
0
Palmeiras preview: Held at home by the champions
Palmeiras faced a tough test at home on the opening day of the new Serie A season against a Botafogo side that pipped them to the league title.
The hosts had the better of the game with 58% of the overall possession as well as an xG of 1.37 to Botafogo's 0.90, but neither side were able to break the deadlock and the game ended in a goalless draw.
It's early days in the campaign but Palmeiras and Botafogo look like they are going to be the teams to beat once again.
Predicted lineup: Weverton (GK), Mayke, Piquerez, Murilo, Micael, Evangelista, Veiga, Rios, Torres, Roque & Estevao
Brazil Serie A 11/05/25
W
Sao Paulo
0
Palmeiras
1
Copa Libertadores 08/05/25
W
Cerro Porteno
0
Palmeiras
2
Brazil Serie A 04/05/25
W
Vasco da Gama
0
Palmeiras
1
Copa do Brasil 30/04/25
W
Ceara
0
Palmeiras
1
Brazil Serie A 27/04/25
L
EC Bahia
1
Palmeiras
0
Player to watch: Felipe Anderson
Felipe Anderson enjoyed two spells with the Italian side Lazio between 2013-2024 before making the move back to his homeland.
The Brazilian international started his career with Santos before moving to Lazio in 2013 where, in his first full season, the attacking midfielder scored ten times in Serie A.
The former Lazio star provides creativity and goals
Anderson had a brief spell in the Premier League with West Ham where in his first campaign with the English club he scored nine times. The 31-year-old is now back in Brazil with Palmeiras and we're backing him to impress against Sporting Cristal on Friday night in the Copa Libertadores.