Atlético-MG vs Fluminense Prediction: Who will advance to the semi-finals?

After Fluminense's victory over Atlético Mineiro in the first leg, the teams will meet again, now in Belo Horizonte, to decide who will progress in the Copa Libertadores. In Rio de Janeiro, Fluminense won 1-0 with a goal from Lima in the 87th minute, so the Cariocas have a precious advantage. Atlético must win by a two-goal margin to qualify for the semi-finals or win the penalty shoot-out if it wins by just one goal.

In the latest round of the Brasileirão, coach Gabriel Milito decided to rest several of the regulars in his starting eleven. The game against Fluminense in the Copa Libertadores had been exhausting, and the Argentine coach didn't take any chances, sparing some influential players for the second leg. It was easier than expected for Atlético to beat RB Bragantino 3-0 and move up to ninth place. Deyverson, Cadu, and Hulk scored for the Miners. Captain Hulk came on in the 75th minute and scored three minutes later to seal his team's victory. The result was morale-boosting, and now everything is in place for the decisive match with Fluminense.

The Tricolor das Laranjeiras hosted leader Botafogo in a Carioca derby, and Mano Menezes couldn't give his star players a rest like Gabriel Milito did. Fluminense is in a tricky situation in the Série A and urgently needs points, so it seemed unwise to field a secondary team against rival Botafogo. However, Fluminense couldn't avoid a 1-0 defeat, conceding a goal in the 95th minute after an incredible mistake by Felipe Melo, surprised by the presence of Gregore at his back, who stole the ball from him. The Botafogo midfielder assisted Luiz Henrique, who only had to tap the ball into the net. Fluminense dropped back into the relegation zone, causing much concern before the Copa Libertadores match.

It's a tricky game for Alético Mineiro, Fluminense, and all the fans of both teams, who will inevitably be anxious. Since 2020, no team has managed to qualify for the semi-finals of the Copa Libertadores after losing in the first leg of the quarter-finals. Sooner or later, that will happen again, and we shall see if Atlético Mineiro can do it. There haven't been many goals in Fluminense's matches, so I'm betting on a game with no more than two goals scored, which covers several outcomes.