Atlético Mineiro vs Caracas Prediction: The Brazilians only need a draw to secure first place

Atlético Mineiro is already through to the next stage of the Copa Libertadores. The Rooster won its first four games and settled the matter with two rounds to go. However, the 2-0 defeat in Montevideo against Penãrol left the question of first place wide open. A draw is enough for the Brazilians to secure first place, but with a win, they can still dream of being the best team in the Copa Libertadores group stage. Atlético Mineiro has 12 points, but Talleres, Palmeiras, and River Plate have 13, so only an unlikely combination of results could allow the Rooster to pull off this feat.

The Miners lost 1-0 to Sport Recife in the second leg of the Copa do Brasil third round but qualified after winning 2-0 in the first game. It was the second straight defeat for Atlético, who had lost to Peñarol in Uruguay. The Belo Horizonte side had been in great form, but the Série A's suspension due to the floods affecting the south of Brazil doesn't seem to have done Atlético any good. Caracas, at the bottom of the group, could be the ideal opponent for the Rooster to return to winning after two negative results. In the first round, the Brazilians won easily 4-1 in Venezuela.

The Reds from Ávila finished the Liga Apertura in a modest 13th place. In its last game, on May 16, the Venezuelans lost 4-1 to Rosario Central in Argentina. With just one point, Caracas will finish its Copa Libertadores campaign at the bottom of Group C. This game against Atlético Mineiro is a chance to improve the poor impression. It will be a big surprise if the team from the Venezuelan capital can pick up a point.

The Brazilians are the clear favorites in this match. Caracas is among the three teams with the fewest points in the competition, and any result other than a win for Atlético Mineiro will be a big surprise. The odds of a victory for the Rooster are extremely low, so I'm betting that Paulinho will score a goal. Another alternative bet is to add a total of goals to the Brazilians' victory.