Atlético Mineiro and Botafogo will meet in Brazil’s fourth Copa Libertadores final in the last five years on Saturday at the Estadio Enorme in Buenos Aires. Mineiro denied River Plate the opportunity to play matches in the name of their stadium with their semi-final victory over the Argentinians the year Fogo eliminated Peñarol to get here from fourth overall.
Gabriel Milito’s team has based its fortunes entirely on defense, with Mineiro one victory away from its second South American title. Two goals conceded and three consecutive clean sheets are notable, even though they haven’t won since last October’s goalless draw with River Plate with a leaky Brasileirao that is a cause for fear. Milito has not seen his team win away from home in the Libertadores this time, but they are undefeated in three away games. On the other hand, Mineiro has not surpassed Brazilian fighters in the Libertadores knockout round since 2013 and its first name at this point came through consequences against Olimpia.
Artur Jorge’s team has lived to the limit, reaching this point with a streak of limited victories, even beating Palmeiras and Sao Paulo. Peñarol’s semi-final win was much more convincing and reserved a playing field in the final for the first presentation in the club’s history. On the other hand, Fogo has now not lost in the knockout phase despite the Rio team being unbeaten in five games in a row in all competitions since defeating the Uruguayans. With only two goals conceded in that game, O Glorioso have conceded just twice in that game and are unbeaten in 19 against Brazilian teams with just one goal conceded in their last five meetings with Mineiro for just one loss.
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Simple methods to monitor and probabilities.
- Generation: Saturday November 30 | Year: 3 pm eastern time
- Location: Enorme Stadium – Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Keep tabs on: beIN Sports activities | Current: Fubo (points to isolated)
- Odd: Mineiro +250; Draw +220; Botafogo +100
How they gave them to you right here
Mineiro won five and lost one on Team G to be seeded second and from there Milito’s men beat San Lorenzo, Fluminense and then River Plate to retain their final spot. Botafogo won three, drew one and lost two in Team D to finish in 14th place and then went straight to eliminate Palmeiras, Sao Paulo and Peñarol to earn their shot at glory this weekend.
Crew information
Miner: Cadu and Matías Zaracho are expected to miss the year. Eduardo Vargas, Renzo Saravia and Rubens are more likely to be substitutes. Everson earned his third consecutive clean sheet and will once again start in goal for Milito’s team.
Imaginable Mineiro XI: Everson; Lyanco, Battaglia, Alonso; Scarpa, Vera, Franco, Arana; Hulk, Paulinho; Deyverson.
Cruzeiro: Rafael is more likely to omit the year Mateo Ponte is suspended than to trade Vitinho and not take him into account in the final presentation. Adryelson, Danilo, Tche Tche, Matheus Martins and Tiquinho replaced Alexander Barboza, Gregore, Luiz Henrique, Igor Jesus and Thiago Almada against Peñarol and Almada got his goal in the second leg.
Imaginable Cruzeiro XI: John; Vitinho, Adryelson, Bastos, Telles; Gregorio, Freitas; Savarino, Tche Tche, Almada; Saints.
Prediction
It may be difficult to name him, but Mineiro seems to be the best capable of stopping his rivals from scoring, so one goal will be enough to face Botafogo. The scoring of both teams can be surprising, so expect a low-scoring game with a small final margin. Select: Mineiro 1, Botafogo 0.
