Palmeiras vs Santos Prediction: The first classic of the year will be played in the Paulistão

Palmeiras and Santos are among the biggest clubs in the state of São Paulo but also the biggest in Brazil. The Clássico da Saudade will be played for the 310th time, with a record favorable to Palmeiras, with 134 wins against Santos' 96 victories. The two teams have drawn 79 times. Palmeiras is the current two-time Brazilian and Paulista champion, while Santos will play in the Série B for the first time in its history. Even so, in a horrible year, Santos didn't stop upsetting its rival, drawing 0-0 at home and winning 2-1 at the Palmeiras' stadium in the Brasileirão 2023 matches. For the Campeonato Paulista, last year, the Verdão beat at home the Fish 3-1.

Abel Ferreira's side hasn't started the Campeonato Paulista in the way fans would have hoped. Palmeiras has four points from two games, but the performances have disappointed. After a poor league start against Novorizontino, when Verdão drew and the home side dominated, in Round 2 Palmeiras had a troubled opener against Inter de Limeira at home and conceded an early goal. The team managed to turn the result around in the first half, but a defensive error by Palmeiras allowed the Série D team to equalize in the second half. It wasn't until the 88th minute that Rony reassured the Verdão fans, making the score 3-2. Facing Santos, the team must convince, not least because it's a classic.

The Fish will be playing in the Série B for the first time this year, so the club at least has the opportunity to fight for a prestigious title in the Campeonato Paulista. Santos' history in the competition obliges it. If Palmeiras has won Paulistão 25 times, Pelé's club has also won the trophy 22 times, so this great club cannot be underestimated. The Fish leads group A with six points after two wins against Botafogo SP and Ponte Preta. Fábio Carille is Santos' new coach, in his second spell at the club. He knows that the Paulista classics are very significant for the fans, who are still disappointed with the club's fortune.

Palmeiras' defensive record has been surprisingly poor. Three goals conceded in two games against lower-ranked teams certainly worries Abel Ferreira, a defensively rigorous coach. The Verdão's defense will be tested against Santos, but I believe the Portuguese coach will correct the defensive flaws. My bet is on a match with less than three goals scored.