Palmeiras line-up: Abel Ferreira set for returns v Atlético-MG | OneFootball

Palmeiras wrapped up preparations on Saturday morning (25) at the Academia de Futebol for the match against Atlético-MG, valid for the 20th round of the Brazilian Championship. The match will be played this Sunday (26), at 7:30 p.m., at Nubank Parque, and could mark another important step for Verdão in defending the competition lead.

The coaching staff led by Abel Ferreira began with a video session before taking the squad onto the pitch for training focused on tactical adjustments and set-piece drills, the final details ahead of the clash with the Minas Gerais side.

The main news from the session was the presence of key players on the field. Right-back Agustín Giay, recovered from a sprain in his right ankle, trained normally with the rest of the squad again for the second consecutive day.

Forward Vitor Roque also took part fully in training as he continues his physical transition, raising expectations for his return to action. Midfielder Felipe Anderson, who missed Palmeiras’ win over Coritiba due to swelling in his left thigh, trained without restrictions and could be available again for Abel Ferreira.

Best campaign in history in the round-robin era

Standalone leader of the Brazilian Championship, Palmeiras is enjoying a historic moment in the competition. With 44 points from 19 rounds, Verdão has posted its best campaign in the round-robin era, surpassing its 2025 performance, when it had collected 42 points at the same stage.

The performance is also better than in the campaigns that ended with the Brazilian title. In 2016, the club had 37 points after 19 matches; in 2018, 33; in 2022, 39; and in 2023, 34, underlining the team’s excellent start to the league.

Recent record favors Verdão

In addition to its strong form this season, Palmeiras comes in boosted by its recent record against Atlético-MG. The team is unbeaten in five matches against the opponent, with four consecutive wins — two in the 2024 Brazilian Championship and two in 2025 — plus a 2-2 draw in the first half of this edition, played at Arena MRV.

The green-and-white side’s dominance also shows in the broader history of the matchup. Since September 2021, Palmeiras and Atlético-MG have faced each other 16 times, with six wins for Verdão, nine draws, and only one defeat, suffered in the second half of the 2023 Brazilian Championship.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.