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Preview: Palmeiras vs. Sporting Cristal – prediction, team news, lineups

• Posted on May 29, 2025

Even an improbable win in Sao Paulo may not be enough for Sporting Cristal to stay in this year's Copa Libertadores, as they visit Group G winners Palmeiras on Wednesday.

While the hosts have already secured their place in the knockout rounds, Cristal trail second-placed Cerro Porteno by three points and also have an inferior goal difference.

Match preview

© Imago

Wrapping up first place in Group G with one round to spare, Palmeiras won 2-0 at home to Bolivar last time out in South America's top tournament, posting their fifth Copa Libertadores success in a row.

It has been a tale of total dominance so far, as no other team across the competition has spent more time ahead in the 2025 edition. Not only have they led for a total of 333 minutes, Verdao are the only side yet to trail in the group phase.

Abel Ferreira's side may have suffered a rare setback on Sunday, losing 2-0 to potential title rivals Flamengo in the Campeonato Brasileiro, but they have also proved to be formidable on the domestic front.

The Sao Paulo club still top Serie A by one point, having won seven of their first 10 league games, and they seem to be in good shape for a crack at the new FIFA Club World Cup.

Though star man Estevao is due to leave for Chelsea after the latter tournament's conclusion, the three-time continental champions have invested heavily in their squad and Ferreira can even afford to rotate it on Wednesday.

Nonetheless, Palmeiras want to protect a 22-game unbeaten streak at home in the Libertadores, so they will not take their final group opponents lightly.

© Imago

Indeed, the Brazilian giants only prevailed in April's reverse fixture after a dramatic finale at Lima's Estadio Nacional: Estevao struck first before both teams scored twice in the final half-hour, with Richard Rios netting a stoppage-time decider.

Since that opening-day clash, Sporting Cristal have accrued just four points from four subsequent fixtures, most recently losing a crucial contest against Cerro Porteno. Losing at home to the Paraguayan side left them third in Group G and set to drop into the Copa Sudamericana.

On seven points, Cerro Porteno only need to avoid losing heavily against rock-bottom Bolivar; so Cristal are unlikely to reach the knockout rounds of this year's Libertadores, barring a bizarre turn of events on the final matchday.

The last time Los Celestes visited Brazil, they earned a point against Fluminense, finally ending their run of 12 straight losses in South America's most successful nation.

Now, Paulo Autuori's team - who sit only eighth in Peru's Apertura standings - must somehow win in Sao Paulo and then hope for a minor miracle.

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