Racing Club vs Flamengo Prediction 30.10.2025 | Copa Libertadores

Although they went into last week’s first leg of the semifinal on a solid run of form with three unbeaten matches (W2 D1), Racing Club faltered in Rio de Janeiro, but a one-goal loss still keeps the door to the final open for them.

To hope for a comeback and reach the Copa Libertadores final for the first time since the distant 1966-67 season, when they lifted the trophy for the only time, La Academia will need to rediscover the mindset and strength that brought them this far.

The Avellaneda-based club have shown this season that they can compete with the continent’s top teams, sending Uruguayan champions Penarol home in the last-16 and knocking out their compatriots Velez Sarsfield 2-0 on aggregate in the quarterfinals, but they remain fully aware that Flamengo represents a far bigger challenge.

Coach Gustavo Costas will still be without Franco Pardo (adductor), Alan Forneris (knee), and 24-year-old striker Elias Torres (ACL), but the return of Santiago Sosa in defense is a welcome boost, adding extra stability at the back.

Unlike Racing Club, who had no weekend fixtures, Flamengo were in action and came out on the wrong side, suffering a damaging 1-0 defeat away to second-from-bottom Fortaleza, a result that left them ceding the top spot to Palmeiras with nine rounds remaining.

Before this surprising setback, Filipe Luis’ side had ridden a three-game winning streak across various competitions, but now they will be focused on protecting a one-goal lead against Racing Club, which won’t be an easy task given that they have lost three of their last five away trips.

One of their recent away defeats came in the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals, where they were beaten 1-0 by Estudiantes on Argentine soil, before finding success in the penalty shootout and reaching the final four for the fourth time in the last seven editions.

Star striker Pedro suffered a broken forearm in the second half of the semifinal against Racing Club, leaving his participation in the second leg uncertain and potentially dealing a big blow to Flamengo.