RB Bragantino vs Palmeiras Prediction: This duel should be balanced and intense

There's a big game on the horizon in Round 25 of the Série A, as the fourth and second-placed teams go head-to-head. Palmeiras will decide if it reaches the Copa Libertadores final in a few days. Still, between the two games with Boca Juniors, Abel Ferreira's side has an unpleasant trip to Bragança Paulista. The Verdão is seven points behind top-placed Botafogo, and this away game with Red Bull is one of the toughest in this edition of the Brasileirão. Bragantino has only lost four of its 24 games so is a tough team to beat.

In the previous round, the Massa Bruta beat América 2-0 in Belo Horizonte. It was the fourth consecutive clean sheet for Pedro Caixinha's side. Bragantino reacted well to their heavy 4-0 defeat to Bahia, following that bad game with three wins and a draw, with a 6-0 goal difference. Red Bull managed a 1-1 draw at the Allianz Parque in Round 6 but hasn't beaten Palmeiras in six meetings. If Red Bull wins, it will overtake the champion and could even finish the round in second place, depending on Grêmio's result, something absolutely incredible.

Abel Ferreira must be in a lot of doubt about which line-up to field in this clash with Red Bull. With a 0-0 draw in Buenos Aires, Palmeiras can confirm a place in the Copa Libertadores final at home in a few days. The point is that if the Portuguese coach chooses to rest players for the clash with the Argentinians, he runs the risk of losing points against Bragantino and perhaps complicating the renewal of the championship title. In the last round of the Brasileirão, Palmeiras lost to Grêmio in Porto Alegre, so this game is vital for the Verdão.

I think a draw is the most likely outcome, given the quality of both teams, but anything can happen. Another consideration is that both teams concede very few goals. A very tactical game is expected between teams with two Portuguese coaches. I'll bet on a match with a maximum of two goals, assuming that no team is going to risk too much.