Santos
- Santos have won 3, drawn 1 and lost 1 of their last 5 matches.
- Their most recent result was a 2-1 away win over Fluminense.
Palmeiras
- Palmeiras have won 4 and drawn 1 of their last 5 in all competitions.
- Verdão arrive in Santos in excellent form, having won 4 and drawn 1 of their last 5 across all competitions.
- They travel north after away wins over Fluminense RJ (Copa Libertadores playoffs) and CA Paranaense PR (Serie A 2026) and a 1-1 home draw with Fluminense RJ.
- Palmeiras are unbeaten in 5 matches heading into this fixture.
Head-to-Head
- The last head-to-head in the Copa do Brasil 2026 finished 0-0 in Santos and the last 3 meetings between the sides have produced 1 Palmeiras win and 2 draws.
- Palmeiras have not won either of their last 2 away games against Santos, but have only conceded 12 away goals this season (0.75 per game).
Key Players
- Abel Ferreira's game plan has been razor-sharp since the Portuguese boss took charge of Palmeiras in 2020.
- His side play with a controlled tempo when they press, but are disciplined enough to sit back and regroup in compact blocks when they need to.
- Cuca's Santos have much more individual talent, particularly through the axis of Neymar and Gabigol, but are less solid structurally and often susceptible to being caught in transitions or aerially, due to their high-tempo, aggressive press.
- Gabriel Barbosa, who has scored 5 of Santos' 8 goals across their last 5 games, will have a big say and it is on his shoulders that the team are carrying so much of the attacking onus.
Betting Insights
- Palmeiras are the favorites at 2.35 ahead of Santos at 2.92 and the draw at 3.3, but the value lies in the away side as Verdão have only lost 2 of their 16 Serie A 2026 games on the road, winning 8 and drawing 6.
- They have also only conceded 12 goals in 16 away fixtures (0.75 per game), which is phenomenal.
- Under 2.5 goals at 1.77 and Both Teams To Score - No at 1.95 are solid options in this fixture, as opposed to expecting a goal fest.
Prediction
- Backing the away team to edge this one is the main selection for the match outcome, but it will be close.
- Palmeiras will win if they are at their best, but if Cuca gets it right and Barbosa is on form, Peixe can get the win.
- Given the recent head-to-head and the defensive away numbers, expect a tight, low-scoring contest rather than a goal fest.
