Sporting Cristal vs Palmeiras prediction 05.05.2026 | Copa Libertadores

Sporting Cristal warmed up for Tuesday’s Copa Libertadores contest with a 2:2 draw against Cusco in the Peruvian Liga 1 on Sunday. All four goals were scored in an entertaining first-half with Felipe Vizeu’s equalizer on 39 minutes ensuring a share of the spoils. 

Four of their six most recent fixtures finished with BTTS, as well as their 2:1 defeat against Palmeiras last month. 

The Peruvian champions have made a strong start to their Copa Libertadores campaign, picking up two wins from two home fixtures, leaving them top of the section with six points from three games completed. 

Zé Ricardo’s men secured wins against Cerro Porteno and Junior Barranquilla while falling to a narrow 2:1 defeat against Palmeiras last month.

Head coach Zé Ricardo has no reported injury issues this week.

Palmeiras make the trip to Peru after back-to-back 1:1 draws in the past week. Having been held to a stalemate against Cerro Porteno in the Copa Libertadores, the Brazilians were then forced to settle for a point in a Serie A matchup against Santos.

The 2021 Copa Libertadores champions, and runners-up last season, have made a solid if unspectacular start to this season’s competition. Palmeiras picked up one win and two draws from their first three games leaving them one point behind Sporting coming into this fixture.

On the road, Palmeiras have seen BTTS land in six of their last eight Copa Libertadores league phase fixtures since 2024, and that outcome could be on the cards this week. 

Two of the last three encounters between these sides finished with both teams on the scoresheet. Palmeiras claimed a 3:2 win in Peru last season before a 2:1 win in Brazil last month. 

Abel Ferreira has a strong squad available ahead of Tuesday's continental encounter. Vitor Roque is the only confirmed absentee for the Verdão.