Palmeiras vs Ituano Prediction: Palmeiras must win after the Supercopa do Brasil loss

The penalty shoot-out defeat to rival São Paulo in the Supercopa do Brasil final was hard to digest, but life goes on for the Brazilian and Paulista champion. Palmeiras leads Group B with ten points and one game in hand against Portuguesa. This match with Ituano, a Série B team, is ideal for Palmeiras to return to winning ways.

After a 0-0 draw at the end of 90 minutes, Palmeiras and São Paulo had to decide the final from the penalty spot. Murilo and Piquerez missed for the Verdão, and the Tricolor took the cup. Palmeiras was the team that had the most shots on goal, but most of the attempts were from distance. Abel Ferreira's team never found much space in São Paulo's defense. A reaction from the team is expected against Ituano. Despite Palmeiras' lead in the group, Ponte Preta, Água Santa, and Guarani are competent teams and are not so far away that the Verdão can relax.

This club from Itu, a small town 75 km from São Paulo, plays in the Série B of the Brasileirão. Despite its small stature, Ituano has won two Campeonato Paulista titles in 2002 and 2014. Arsenal signed Gabriel Martinelli from Ituano in 2019, and I say this to point out that these minor Brazilian clubs often have quality players. Ituano is second in Group A, although far behind leader Santos. The Rooster of Itu's last win at the Palmeiras stadium was when the club won the Paulistão in 2014, the competition's semi-final. Curiously, last year, the semi-final was also between these two teams, with Palmeiras winning 1-0.

Palmeiras is the clear favorite, and it would be a big surprise not to win this game. The odds for a Palmeiras victory are low, so I'm betting the Brazilian champion will triumph without conceding goals. Ituano has only scored one goal in four games. The Verdão needs a win and a good display to forget the defeat in the Supercopa do Brasil.