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

Meanwhile, the visitors come into this one seeking to take a giant step towards progressing into the knockout phase off the back of their first victory last time out.

Match preview

Palmeiras blew away Bolivian outfit Independiente Petrolero in their last Copa Libertadores outing two Wednesdays ago when they claimed a resounding 5-0 win.

Raphael Veiga netted a hat-trick to put Abel Ferreira's men in the driving seat before further goals from Rafael Navarro and Murilo Cerqueira put the result beyond doubt.

The Alviverde have won two of their subsequent three games since then and currently sit ninth in the Brasileiro after the first six matchdays.

Coming up next is a second-ever meeting against Emelec following a 3-1 triumph in last month's encounter at the Estadio George Capwell.

Having won 17 of their last 21 home matches across all competitions, Wednesday's hosts are huge favourites to get the job done in this one.

For Emelec, it was a case of fourth time lucky as they finally got their Copa Libertadores campaign up and running with a 4-1 thrashing of Deportivo Tachira.

Sebastian Rodriguez was the star of the show as he grabbed a treble to lead Ismael Rescalvo's men to victory in San Cristobal.

One win, one draw and one defeat have followed in the ensuing three league matches and El Bombillo are fifth in the Ecuador Liga Pro as it stands.

With just one victory in their last seven away games leading up to Wednesday, the visitors have it all to do in their bid to upset the odds,

Palmeiras Copa Libertadores form:

Palmeiras form (all competitions):

Emelec Copa Libertadores form:

Emelec form (all competitions):

Team News

Rafael Navarro and Raphael Veiga have scored a combined 13 Copa goals so far and the duo will be looking to wreak more havoc.

Navarro had to make do with a place on the bench in Palmeiras' last outing but we expect a recall to the starting XI here.

The in-form Sebastian Rodriguez is a doubt for Emelec after he missed the away side's most recent involvement with a minor knock.

Rodriguez, who has found the back of the net five times in his last three appearances will be a big miss should he be deemed not fit to participate.

Palmeiras possible starting lineup:

Weverton; Mayke, Gomez, Murilo, Jorge; Danilo, Ze Rafael; Dudu, Veiga, Scarpa; Navarro

Emelec possible starting lineup:

Ortiz; Rodriguez, Guevara, Quintero, Caicedo; Vera, Carabali, Cevallos; Chala, Cabeza, Zapata

We say: Palmeiras 3-1 Emelec

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