This highly anticipated matchup places Palmeiras, a frontrunner, against Criciúma, who are having a bit of a tough time lately. A glance at the goalkeepers tells a story of its own. Criciúma's Gustavo, with a rating of 7.03 and 12 saves, seems to be adequately competent. However, on the other side, Palmeiras have Weverton with a rating of 7.93 and 15 saves, who seems to possess a slightly upper hand thus far.
Looking at the key performers for Criciúma, Tobias Figueiredo stands out, not for his goal-scoring - unfortunately, he hasn't netted one yet - but for his accurate pass rate, standing at a solid 87.8%. Yannick Bolasie is also worthy of mention with his two goals and 85.2% accurate pass rate. Marcelo, on the other side, managed to score a goal, which is always a plus. However, it's fair to say that their score sheets aren't lighting up the place.
Meanwhile, Palmeiras boasts some compelling talent with Estêvão leading the charge, sporting an 8.43 rating and having netted three goals. José López and Maurício also packed a punch, each scoring two goals. Perhaps Felipe's single goal might not sound intimidating, yet his rating of 7.60 speaks of a player delivering consistently good performances.
Reflecting on the previous skirmishes between these two teams, Palmeiras had an upper hand when they last met in June with a 2-1 victory. Considering recent form, Palmeiras appears to be the stronger side boasting three wins and two draws in the last five games. Criciúma, on the other hand, seem to be struggling with just one win and one draw to their credit in the last five games, losing the remaining three.
Looking at regular season records, Palmeiras showcases a more impressive 14-5-6 record compared to Criciúma's 7-7-10. Getting a clear picture between these two teams, it seems the scales are heavily tipped in favor of Palmeiras. Just keep in mind, football isn't won on paper, it's won on the pitch. Then again, my paper hasn't been wrong for five years.
Albert’s Prediction: Palmeiras by 2