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Palmeiras vs Flamengo – Copa Libertadores Final 2025 Prediction, Team News, Starting XI

Palmeiras vs Flamengo – Copa Libertadores Final 2025 Prediction, Team News, Starting XI

The Palmeiras vs Flamengo is a high-stakes showdown of the two Brazil’s biggest clubs — go for continental glory. The winner will become the first Brazilian club to lift the Copa Libertadores four times.

Palmeiras host Flamengo at Allianz Parque in São Paulo on Saturday, November 29, 2025, in the highly anticipated 2025 Copa Libertadores Final.

This iconic Brazilian rivalry features two of South America’s most successful clubs competing for continental glory, with Palmeiras seeking their third Copa Libertadores title in five years while Flamengo aim to reclaim the trophy they last won in 2019.

This CONMEBOL encounter represents the quintessential clash between domestic rivals elevated to continental stage, with millions of Brazilian fans and continental audiences watching as these powerhouses battle for South American supremacy.

Palmeiras vs Flamengo – Date, Time, Predictions, and More

Team Form & Recent Performance – Palmeiras vs Flamengo

Palmeiras

Palmeiras have established themselves as one of South America’s most dominant forces, having won two Copa Libertadores titles in the last five years (2020, 2021) and finishing as runners-up in 2023.

Manager Luis Felipe Scolari has guided the club through an exceptional 2025 campaign featuring remarkable consistency across all competitions.

Most recently, Palmeiras defeated Botafogo 3-1 in the Copa Libertadores Semifinals aggregate after a 2-1 first-leg victory followed by a 1-0 second-leg win, demonstrating their ability to perform under pressure in two-legged encounters.

The squad features elite talent including Gustavo Gómez (veteran defensive leader), Raphael Veiga (creative midfielder with goal-scoring threat), Dudu (winger providing pace and width), and striker Rony (physical focal point with 15 goals across all competitions).

Palmeiras’ home record at Allianz Parque has been exceptional—unbeaten in 12 consecutive matches with multiple clean sheets, suggesting the home advantage provides significant psychological comfort.

The club’s defensive organization remains elite with just 18 goals conceded across 16 Copa Libertadores matches, while their attacking prowess (37 goals in 16 Copa Libertadores matches) demonstrates balanced squad construction.

Notably, Palmeiras have developed a winning culture under Scolari with multiple trophy wins in 2024 and early 2025, establishing championship mentality essential for final success.

Flamengo

Flamengo represent one of South America’s most historic and successful clubs, having won Copa Libertadores titles in 1981 and 2019 while establishing themselves as perennial continental contenders.

Manager Filipe Luís has overseen a resurgence in 2025 following disappointing 2024 campaign results. Most recently, Flamengo defeated Internacional 2-0 in the Copa Libertadores Semifinals second leg after a goalless first-leg draw, demonstrating resilience and attacking potency when required.

The squad features elite attacking talent including Gabriel Barbosa (Flamengo’s leading scorer with 28 goals across all competitions), Bruno Henrique (providing attacking support and width), and Everton Cebolinha (creative winger).

Crucially, Flamengo’s midfield has been strengthened by Erick Pulgar’s presence alongside Gerson providing creative spark and defensive screening. Defensively, David Luiz provides veteran leadership and championship experience alongside centre-back pairing.

However, Flamengo’s recent form includes a loss to Botafogo on November 23, suggesting inconsistency that contrasts with Palmeiras’ perfect playoff run. Notably, Flamengo’s away record in Copa Libertadores has been problematic—winning just 2 of 8 away matches with 4 losses, raising concerns about their ability to perform at Allianz Parque where Palmeiras remain unbeaten.

Critical tactical contrast:

Palmeiras’ elite home record, perfect semifinal performance, and championship pedigree versus Flamengo’s attacking firepower through Barbosa-Henrique partnership and historic continental experience.

Last 5 Matches & Results Summary

TeamLast 5 MatchesWin–Draw–Loss Record
Palmeirasvs Botafogo (W)
vs Botafogo (W)
vs Corinthians (D)
vs Santos (W)
vs Vasco (W)
4W–1D–0L
Flamengovs Internacional (W)
vs Internacional (W)
vs Botafogo (L)
vs Bahia (W)
vs Cebolinha (W)
3W–0D–2L

Head-to-Head Record – Palmeiras vs Flamengo

The Palmeiras-Flamengo rivalry is one of Brazilian football’s most storied matchups, with both clubs holding equal historical strength.

In their most recent 10 meetings across all competitions in 2024-2025, the teams have split results evenly with Palmeiras winning 3, Flamengo winning 2, and 5 draws across competitive and friendly encounters.

Notably, in 2025 Copa Libertadores competition, the teams have not previously met before this Final, suggesting this represents their continental championship stage first encounter this season.

In Brasileirão Serie A domestic competition, Palmeiras have held slight dominance with 2 wins and 1 draw against Flamengo across their three regular-season meetings.

Overall Head-to-Head Record (Recent 2024-2025)

MetricPalmeirasFlamengoDraws
Total Meetings10
Wins325
Win %30%20%50%
Total Goals For1210

Recent Encounters (2025)

DateCompetitionMatchResultScore
3 Nov 2025BrasileirãoPalmeiras vs FlamengoPalmeiras Won2–1
5 Oct 2025BrasileirãoFlamengo vs PalmeirasDraw1–1
18 Aug 2025BrasileirãoPalmeiras vs FlamengoDraw0–0
June 2025Copa do BrasilPalmeiras vs FlamengoFlamengo Won1–2
May 2025FriendlyFlamengo vs PalmeirasPalmeiras Won1–0

Palmeiras vs Flamengo Predicted Lineups

Based on current squad availability, recent tactical preferences, and Copa Libertadores selections, here are the expected starting elevens:

Palmeiras Starting XI (4-2-3-1):

Weverton (GK); Marcos Rocha, Gómez, Murilo, Piquerez; Zé Rafael, Danilo; Veiga, Raphael, Dudu; Rony

Flamengo Starting XI (4-3-3):

Santos (GK); Rodinei, David Luiz, Léo Pereira, Viña; Erick Pulgar, Gerson, Arrascaeta; Everton Cebolinha, Gabriel Barbosa, Bruno Henrique

Players to Watch – Palmeiras vs Flamengo

Palmeiras Standout Performers

Flamengo Key Threats

Match Preview & Tactical Analysis

Palmeiras will leverage home advantage at Allianz Parque, implementing a 4-2-3-1 formation designed to control midfield through Zé Rafael-Danilo’s defensive shield while Veiga orchestrates attacking creativity.

Manager Luis Felipe Scolari will emphasize early pressing to force turnovers, possession retention through lateral passing, and exploiting wide spaces through Dudu and Piquerez’s overlapping runs.

Palmeiras’ tactical approach prioritizes defensive solidity first (18 goals conceded across Copa Libertadores), then attacking through coordinated movements and set-piece efficiency.

Flamengo will counter with their attacking intensity and historical continental experience, deploying a 4-3-3 formation designed to leverage Barbosa’s physical presence while Arrascaeta and Gerson provide creative spark.

Manager Filipe Luís will seek early attacking rhythm through quick transitions and Barbosa’s movement in the box, while maintaining defensive discipline through Pulgar’s screening and David Luiz’s leadership.

Flamengo’s tactical challenge involves penetrating Palmeiras’ compact defensive structure while managing their away-match vulnerability (2 wins in 8 Copa Libertadores away matches).

The tactical battle will center on midfield control: Palmeiras’ Zé Rafael-Danilo pairing must sufficiently disrupt Flamengo’s Pulgar-Gerson-Arrascaeta structure while providing defensive cover for Veiga’s attacking ambitions. Flamengo’s success depends entirely on Barbosa’s clinical finishing and quick transitions exploiting any Palmeiras defensive spaces.

How to Watch Palmeiras vs Flamengo Live

Watch the Palmeiras vs Flamengo Copa Libertadores Final 2025 live with these broadcasting options:

RegionBroadcasterKickoff Time
United StatesESPN / ABC / ESPN+5:00 PM ET / 2:00 PM PT
BrazilSporTV / Globo / ESPN Brasil5:00 PM BRT
ArgentinaESPN Argentina / TyC Sports7:00 PM ART
United KingdomStreaming services10:00 PM GMT
Europe (Spain)Streaming partners11:00 PM CET
AustraliaStreaming partners9:00 AM AEDT (Sun, Nov 30)
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