Palmeiras host Vasco da Gama on 1 November 2026 at 22:00 in the first leg of the Copa do Brasil semi-final. Palmeiras reached this stage by eliminating Santos 3–0 on aggregate, while Vasco dispatched Vitória with the same scoreline. The second leg takes place in Rio de Janeiro on 8 November. Palmeiras need to establish an advantage at home; Vasco will aim to keep their path to the final open.
Form and H2H
Palmeiras operate a three-centre-back system that has conceded only 22 goals across 33 league matches. The shape allows their wing-backs to support attacks without exposing the centre. In their quarter-final second leg against Santos, they kept a clean sheet and forced five saves from their goalkeeper. This defensive structure lets them regain possession high up the pitch and cut off space for Vasco's quick counter-attacks.
Vasco can hurt opponents on the break. They won their quarter-final second leg at Vitória 2–0, both goals coming in the second half. Against Flamengo recently, however, they managed only two shots on target from 15 attempts, showing they struggle for precision against compact defences. Midfield turnovers will give Palmeiras additional attacking opportunities.
Palmeiras have won their last two home matches against Vasco 4–1 and 3–0. Palmeiras' superior defensive reliability and clinical finishing should allow them to convert more attacks into shots. Vasco will find it difficult to avoid mistakes over ninety minutes under sustained pressure.
Best bet
Palmeiras to win with handicap -1. Palmeiras' defensive solidity, combined with Vasco's injury troubles and tendency to concede under pressure, favours the hosts to win by at least two goals. Vasco kept clean sheets in both their quarter-final matches but lack the attacking depth to trouble Palmeiras consistently. The absence of Andres Gomes through a left foot injury limits Vasco's transition play. Palmeiras' forward Lopes has scored four goals in this Copa do Brasil campaign, including two in the quarter-final first leg at home. Roque, recovered from an ankle injury, trained fully on Saturday and is in contention to start, adding further attacking threat.
Odds to watch
1xBet: Home 1.74 / Draw 3.32 / Away 5.71.
Mostbet: Home 1.61 / Draw 3.06 / Away 5.8.
Melbet: Home 1.73 / Draw 3.31 / Away 5.71.
