The first leg of the 2025 Copa Libertadores semi-final between LDU Quito (Ecuador) and Palmeiras (Brazil) will take place on October 24 at the Rodrigo Paz Delgado Stadium. LDU Quito vs. Palmeiras: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
LDU Quito
The Ecuadorians have reached their first Copa Libertadores semi-final since the 2007/08 season when LDU Quito won the tournament. Tiago Nunes' side overcame the challenges of two other Brazilian clubs in the previous playoff stages – São Paulo (2-0, 1-0) and Botafogo (0-1, 2-0). Notably, the team has been solid defensively, recording seven clean sheets in the current Copa Libertadores campaign.
- The club has won 7 of their last 9 home matches in the Copa Libertadores.
- The team has not conceded in their last six home games in this tournament.
- The Ecuadorians have scored at least two goals in 5 of their last 6 home Copa Libertadores matches.
Predicted lineup for LDU Quito (3-5-2)
Gonzalo Valle – Leonel Quiñónez, Gianfranco Ayyala, Ricardo Ade – Bryan Ramírez, Fernando Cornejo, Carlos Gruezo, Gabriel Villamil, José Quintero – Jeyson Medina, Lisandro Alzugaray.
Forward Alejandro Cabeza will miss the match due to injury.
Palmeiras
Abel Ferreira's team defeated River Plate in the previous round on aggregate (2-1, 3-1). Before facing the Argentinians, Palmeiras had a streak of five clean sheets in the Copa Libertadores. Overall, in this tournament, the club has secured nine wins in ten matches (1 draw). Consequently, the Brazilians have reached the Copa Libertadores semi-finals for the fifth time in the last six seasons.
- The team has won 7 of their last 8 away matches in the Copa Libertadores.
- The club has scored at least twice in 7 of their last 8 away games in this tournament.
- At least three goals have been scored in 7 of Palmeiras' last 8 away matches in the Copa Libertadores.
Predicted lineup for Palmeiras (4-5-1)
Weverton – Joaquín Piquerez, Khellven, Gustavo Gómez, Murilo – Andreas Pereira, Lucas Evangelista, Aníbal Moreno, José López, Felipe Anderson – Vitor Roque.
Goalkeeper Weverton, midfielder Lucas Evangelista, and forward Paulinho will miss the match due to injuries.
Referee
Facundo Tello (Argentina)
Matches – 11 (International matches, 2025);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 54;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.9;
Red cards shown – 3;
Average fouls per match – 24;
Penalties – 35%.
LDU Quito vs. Palmeiras: Match Prediction
The Ecuadorians have reached the semi-finals of the current Copa Libertadores largely due to their strong home performances. At home, LDU Quito not only frequently wins but also performs confidently in attack. In their last 15 home Copa Libertadores matches, the team failed to score in only two games, and in 11 instances during this period, they scored at least twice. Additionally, in the current tournament, LDU Quito has netted nine goals in five home matches.
Palmeiras is considered the favorite in this semi-final pair, but in Ecuador, the team may face challenges, particularly in defense. The Brazilians often achieve desired results away from home, but they also allow opponents to be effective in attack: in their last nine away Copa Libertadores encounters, the club has kept a clean sheet only three times. Moreover, in four instances during this stretch, Palmeiras conceded two goals.
I expect a strong attacking performance from the hosts, and my prediction: LDU Quito Individual Total Over 1
