Criciúma vs Palmeiras Prediction: It will be a surprise if Palmeiras doesn't win

Criciúma hosts Palmeiras in a typical game where the underdog will try to surprise the favorite. Ironically, Palmeiras have just three points more than the Catarinenses, who, incredibly, have played three games less than the Brazilian champions. The Verdão sits ninth in the table, five points behind Athletico Paranaense and Bahia, leaders of the competition. Palmeiras must win this match to avoid falling further behind in the Brasileirão.

Criciúma has one win and two draws in just three games played. The Tiger was the club that suffered the most with the many match postponements. The team from Santa Catarina achieved one of the most surprising results of the opening six rounds by beating Vasco da Gama 4-0 in Rio. However, Criciúma is out of the Copa do Brasil. After three weeks without a game, the Tiger lost 2-0 in the second leg against Bahia at home. Facing Palmeiras, Criciúma will give the ball possession to the Paulistas and then exploit the counter-attack as it did against Vasco.

In Endrick's farewell, neither the young star scored nor Palmeiras won. It was a poor showing from the Verdão against San Lorenzo in the Copa Libertadores. After a goalless draw against Botafogo SP in the Copa do Brasil, the Pig repeated the result against the Argentinians. Palmeiras qualified for the Copa Libertadores knockout stage but missed out on the secondary objective of being the best team in the group stage. After two mediocre displays, Palmeiras must beat Criciúma and will have to do it without Endrick. 

It's a David and Goliath clash between Criciúma and Palmeiras. The home side is the underdog, looking to surprise the mighty Palmeiras. The two-time Brazilian champions are in a modest ninth place and have drawn their last two games with lackluster displays. That's reason enough for the Verdão players not to underestimate their opponents and bring home the three points. Endrick played his last game for the Paulistas, and Abel Ferreira must find solutions in attack. I'm backing Palmeiras to win.