Athletico-PR vs Palmeiras Prediction: Palmeiras can win in Curitiba

It's never easy to win at the Ligga Arena, but Palmeiras is one of the teams capable of doing it. The champions are already out of the Copa Libertadores and Copa do Brasil, so they'll approach every game in the league with the utmost determination.

The Hurricane lost two successive away games by 2-1 against Vasco da Gama, both by 2-1. The first for the Brasileirão and the most recent in the first leg of the Copa do Brasil quarter-finals. In both matches, Athletico allowed the Cariocas to turn the game around, showing the team's psychological fragility. The Paranaenses are in tenth place in the standings and haven't won for four games in the Série A. The club will compete with Racing for a place in the semi-finals of the Copa Sudamericana, a competition that could save Athletico's disappointing season.

The Verdão reacted well to the elimination from the Copa Libertadores by crushing Cuiabá 5-0. At half-time, the Paulistas were leading 4-0. The wonder kid Estêvão scored two goals, and it looks like he's returned to form after suffering an injury. Palmeiras lost its creativity with the absence of the 17-year-old winger but is now back to being a more dangerous and unpredictable force. Abel Ferreira's side is in third place, four points behind leader Fortaleza, who has a game in hand, so only victory matters.

Palmeiras has gotten accustomed to reaching the decisive phase of competitions, but things haven't gone so well this year. The team fell in the Copa do Brasil against Flamengo and is also out of the Copa Libertadores after a crazy knockout round with Botafogo. The Verdão also lost the Supercopa do Brasil at the start of the season against São Paulo, so there's nothing left to do but try to win the Brasileirão. Palmeiras' rivals are all involved in international competitions, which means the Paulistas will have more time to prepare for their league matches. Athletico Paranaense played a midweek game in the Copa do Brasil, which increased the chances of a Palmeiras victory.