Luis Torres
Dailysports's expert
On May 23, 2025, the second leg of the Brazilian Cup Round of 32 will see Palmeiras host Ceará on their home turf. The kickoff is scheduled for 0:30 Central European Time. Let’s dive into the best bet for this high-stakes encounter.
Palmeiras
Palmeiras head into this return leg in sensational form. The team is on a remarkable run, racking up six consecutive victories, keeping clean sheets in five of those wins. In their latest league outing, Palmeiras edged Bragantino 2-1 away from home. Over this six-match streak, they’ve scored 9 goals and conceded just one. On the league table, Palmeiras are sitting comfortably at the top: after nine rounds, they boast 22 points and enjoy a four-point cushion over the nearest rival.
When it comes to head-to-head clashes with Ceará, Palmeiras also hold the advantage—four wins in their last five meetings. The first leg of this cup tie ended with a narrow 1-0 victory for Palmeiras, giving them a solid edge ahead of the home fixture.
Ceará
After falling to Palmeiras in the first leg, Ceará bounced back with three matches that showcased their defensive grit. The team picked up two wins and a 0-0 draw, keeping a clean sheet in each and finding the net three times. In the Brazilian league, Ceará sit fifth with 15 points. While the team’s results are generally steady, their away form is a concern: in their last five road games, they’ve failed to win, suffering three defeats and drawing twice.
There is, however, one intriguing stat: the last time Ceará visited Palmeiras, they pulled off a 3-2 triumph. That result gives the visitors a glimmer of hope in this cup showdown as they look to keep their qualification hopes alive.
Key facts and head-to-head stats
- Palmeiras have won 13 of their last 14 matches.
- Palmeiras have won 4 of their last 5 home games.
- Ceará are unbeaten in 4 of their last 5 matches.
- The last 6 Ceará games have all finished with under 2.5 goals.
- Palmeiras have won 4 of the last 5 head-to-head meetings.
- Palmeiras have won 4 of the last 5 home head-to-heads.
- The first leg between these teams ended with a 1-0 win for Palmeiras.
Probable lineups
- Palmeiras: Weverton, Gomez, Murilo, Guia, Piquerez, Rios, Martinez, Estevio, Anderson, Torres, Roque.
- Ceará: Miguel, Fabiano, Marllon, Machado, Bahia, Diego, Sobral, Galeano, Muniz, Henrique, Raul.
Palmeiras vs Ceará match prediction
Palmeiras currently look far more stable and confident than Ceará. The hosts are organized, playing with impressive focus and composure, especially at home. Ceará have potential, but their shaky away record and the need to chase the result put them in a tough spot. Another key factor in favor of Palmeiras is their head-to-head dominance—they’ve consistently come out on top in these matchups. My pick for this game: Palmeiras to win with a -1 handicap at odds of 1.73.
