Atlético-MG FC vs São Paulo FC Prediction: The hosts will advance to the semi-finals

São Paulo and Atlético-MG will face off at the Arena MRV for the return leg of their quarter-final clash. Atletico Mineiro won the first-leg encounter away at the Estadio Cicero Pompeu de Toledo with a narrow 0-1 victory. This game is still very much open and both teams will aim for the all-important win at the Arena MRV on Friday. Please see the carefully prepared tips.

Form in all competitions: WWLWD

Atletico-MG is currently 9th placed in the Brasileiro with 8 wins, 9 draws, and 6 losses from 23 games played. They advanced to the quarterfinals of the Copa Do Brasil after defeating CRB by a 5-2 aggregate. The ropes saved Atletico-MG in their first leg encounter against São Paulo as it was Rodrigo Battaglia who saved the day and got the only goal of the game for Atletico -MG in the final 6 minutes of the game. 

Atletico-MG have the lead heading into this clash but it’s a very slim lead and they must uphold their record against São Paulo on Friday. They also advanced to the Copa Libertadores' knockout round, where they’ll take on Fluminense in mid-September. 

Form in all competitions: LLWWL

Sao Paulo has now lost three games in their last 5 games across all competitions with two wins and 3 losses. They lost to Atletico Mineiro in the first-leg encounter with the only goal of the game coming in the 92nd minute. São Paulo now has another shot at a possible comeback on Friday but we doubt if they’ll get it. 

In the current season, they have an overall league statistics of 12 wins, 5 draws, and 8 losses from 25 games played. São Paulo is also in the knockout stages of the Copa Libertadores where they’ll take on Botafogo this month. 

Atletico-MG currently leads in their H2H stats with 11 wins and 5 draws while São Paulo plays catch up with 4 wins.

Firstly, it is important to note that Atletico-MG has yet to lose to São Paulo in their last 8 meetings and Atletico-MG have also won their last four consecutive meetings. It’s a tough one, especially with the current form of both teams and what is at stake. Atletico has a slim lead heading into Friday's game but São Paulo can also turn things around. However, we believe Atletico Minero will not lose and the best case here is a win or draw and a total of under 3.5 goals for the hosts. 

We see a pattern and it is that 4 of their last five meetings have produced at least two goals from either team and with the form of both teams we should see a minimum of two goals from either team here. Another important fact is how the game between them is usually a tough and rough one as we see that there has been a total of over 4.5 cards in their last 5 games. 

• Atletico-MG has won their last 4 encounters
• Atletico-MG has not lost to São Paulo in their last 8 encounters
• Atletico-MG has scored first in 5 of their last 6 encounters
• There have been more than 4.5 cards in 5 of their last 5 games