Preview:Palmeiras vs. Juventude - prediction, team news, lineups

Palmeiras will welcome Juventude to Allianz Parque on Sunday, and the hosts head into the weekend in second place in the Campeonato Brasileiro.

Juventude enter the matchday in 14th position, which leaves them only a point away from a Copa Sudamericana place, but they will also be looking over their shoulder with the danger zone only three points away.

Match preview

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Palmeiras will be in a celebratory mood after they drew against Atletico Mineiro in midweek and, as a result of the away goals rule, they reached the final of the Copa Libertadores, which gives them the opportunity to defend the title they won last season.

After the first leg of the Copa Libertadores semi-final ended goalless, Atletico Mineiro took the lead in the second leg through Eduardo Vargas, but Dudu equalised in the 68th minute and Palmeiras managed to see the game out to book a place in the final by virtue of the away goals rule.

In the league, Palmeiras have struggled for wins of late with their only victory in their last five league games coming against Chapecoense, who are bottom of the league table.

Last weekend, Abel Ferreira's side lost to bitter rivals Corinthians and though Gabriel Menino cancelled out Roger Guedes's opener, the 25-year-old scored again in the 84th minute to consign Palmeiras to a derby defeat.

Palmeiras will aim to continue their impressive home league form, which has seen them win seven of their 11 league games at Allianz Parque.

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Juventude will be aiming to win on Sunday, so they can move closer to a Copa Sudamericana spot and away from the relegation zone.

Marquinhos Santos's side experienced a winless run of six games before they finally emerged victorious last weekend against Santos.

Goals from Ricardo Bueno, Dawhan and Guilherme Castilho helped Juventude to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Santos, which will give Marquinhos Santos and his players a confidence boost heading into Sunday's game.

An away game against the reigning Copa Libertadores champions is a daunting prospect and Marquinhos Santos will not be encouraged by Juventude's away record, since they have only managed to win one away league match this term.

The last time Juventude played a competitive away game against Palmeiras was November 2007 and Juve picked up a 1-0 victory on that occasion.

Team News

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Palmeiras will be without Vinicius, who is a long-term injury absentee.

Ferreira will also have to contend with the absence of Marcus Rocha, who has picked up a thigh injury.

Rocha's absence means that Menino will come into the starting lineup for Sunday.

Juventude are still without Elton, who is a long-term absentee.

Marquinhos Santos could name a similar lineup to the one that beat Santos last weekend with Juventude bidding to win two consecutive matches.

Palmeiras possible starting lineup:

Weverton; Rocha, Luan, Gomez, Renan; Melo, Danilo, Veiga; Dudu, Wesley, Adriano

Juventude possible starting lineup:

Paulo; Danilo, Velazquez, Leonardo; Para, Camacho, Sanchez, Jonatan, Mota; Marinho, Baptistao

We say: Palmeiras 2-1 Juventude

Although Palmeiras' recent form in the league has been shaky, they will be in a positive mindset after reaching the Copa Libertadores final and we think they will have enough quality to win this one, especially considering that Juventude struggle away from home.