Palmeiras vs U de Deportes: Copa Libertadores Round of 16 second leg preview
Palmeiras welcome Peruvian side U de Deportes to Allianz Parque in Sao Paulo for the second leg of the Copa Libertadores round of 16. After a resounding 4-0 victory in the first leg, the Brazilian giants head into the return with a comfortable lead and the home crowd behind them. U de Deportes must overturn a sizeable deficit if they are to advance.
Palmeiras: form and statistics
Palmeiras are already looking ahead to a potential tougher test in the next round, which could be Libertad or River Plate, but their current form makes them strong favourites to progress. In the domestic league, they sit in a strong position, challenging for the title and sitting second, just four points behind Flamengo with a match in hand. At home, Palmeiras have been impressive: 5 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses, with 9 goals scored and none conceded in their last three league home matches.
In the Copa Libertadores, Palmeiras have been exceptional this season, winning all six group-stage matches while scoring 17 and conceding just four. At home in the Libertadores, they have looked even more solid, scoring nine without reply in three matches this season and extending a run of not conceding a goal in seven Libertadores matches overall this season (across seven games).
Palmeiras: lineup
Palmeiras probable starting lineup (4-2-3-1)
Weverton (GK) – Khellven, Gustavo Gómez, Murilo, Joaquín Piquerez – Lucas Evangelista, Anibal Moreno – Facundo Torres, Flaco López, Felipe Anderson – Vitor Roque
Out: Paulinho, Bruno Rodrigues
Head coach: Abel Ferreira
U de Deportes: form and statistics
U de Deportes have started the Peruvian league well, with 4 wins and 2 draws from six rounds, sitting in 3rd place. They have not been short of goals either, scoring 11 and conceding just four. In the Copa Libertadores group stage, they finished second in Group B behind River Plate, with two wins, two draws and two losses, finishing with a goal difference of 4:4. Their campaign was helped by some luck to reach the knockout rounds, but they must now perform away from home against a very difficult opponent.
In the first leg against Palmeiras, U de Deportes faced a setback with an early red card to William Riveros in the 53th minute, complicating their match plan on hostile ground.
U de Deportes: lineup
U de Deportes probable starting lineup (5-3-2)
Sebastian Britos (GK) – Hugo Ancajima, José Carabalí, Aldo Corzo, Williams Riveros, Anderson Santamaría – Jorge Murrugarra, Martín Pérez Guedes, Jairo Concha – Édison Flores, Alex Valera
Out: W. Riveros, R. Urena
Head coach: Jorge Fossati
Tactical angles and what to watch
– Palmeiras will likely approach the tie with control and rotation options in mind. The 4-2-3-1 setup provides balance in midfield and attack, with Vitor Roque and the supporting trio of Torres, López and Felipe Anderson capable of trouble for U de Deportes if given space.
– U de Deportes must show resilience and discipline to frustrate Palmeiras again and try to attack on the break. Their 5-3-2 formation aims to block central lanes and rely on quick transitions to exploit any gaps if Palmeiras push forward.
– The red card in the first leg was a turning point; expect Palmeiras to press high early, while U de Deportes will need to be solid defensively and opportunistic on counter chances.
Key players
– Palmeiras: Weverton; Vitor Roque as the striker option, with attacking support from Torres and López. In midfield, Lucas Evangelista and Anibal Moreno will be crucial for controlling tempo.
– U de Deportes: Alex Valera leading the line, supported by Édison Flores in midfield. Defensively, captain Williams Riveros and Aldo Corzo will be pivotal in neutralizing Palmeiras’ attackers.
Prediction and outlook
With a 4-0 cushion from the first leg and the comfort of home in Sao Paulo, Palmeiras remain clear favourites to seal progression. They have demonstrated consistency across both domestic and continental competitions this season, and their positive form at Allianz Parque adds to theiræs confidence. U de Deportes will need a near-flawless away performance, superior game management, and perhaps a slice of fortune to overturn the deficit.
Possible outcomes: Palmeiras to advance, likely through conservative, controlled play that preserves the lead; a 1-0 or 2-0 match result could be enough for the hosts to clinch qualification on aggregate, depending on how the game unfolds and any rotation.
Summing up
Palmeiras enter the second leg with a substantial advantage, a robust home record, and a track record of tight defense in the Libertadores. U de Deportes face a tall order but will look to showcase resilience and opportunism to spark a comeback. If Palmeiras keep discipline and control, they should advance to the next stage, continuing a season defined by strong form and solid performances on both domestic and international fronts.
Additional note for readers: This tie sits in a broader context where Palmeiras are aiming to go deep in the tournament, while U de Deportes seek to capitalize on any rare opportunity to upset the odds on South American football’s biggest stage.