The stage is set and the fans are anxious. The duel for the title of the Copa Libertadores 2024 has arrived, so it is prudent to analyze the facts and the numbers obtained by both contenders to define who has more chances of becoming champion.
Atlético Mineiro and Botafogo come to the Monumental in Buenos Aires to confirm the hegemony of Brazilian soccer in South America, at least as far as this tournament is concerned. This final will make seven Brazilian champions in the last eight editions of the competition, making it a golden age for the Brasileirao, particularly as three of those titles have been won against Argentine opponents (Lanús, River Plate and Boca Juniors).
It is fair to say that whichever of these clubs wins the championship will be a fair winner, as they have shown themselves to be very consistent both in their league and in the continental tournament. Botafogo is three points away from securing the third local championship in its history, while Mineiro has become one of the most successful clubs in an edition of this tournament, winning eight games in its history.
As if that were not enough, both Atlético Mineiro and Botafogo have weapons worthy of giving them the trophy this Saturday. Botafogo's Junior Santos and Atletico Mineiro's Paulinho will battle it out for this year's scoring championship. The advantage goes to the Botafogo striker, who has scored nine goals, but a special night for the Glorioso man could write his name in golden letters in the club's history.
IT'S TOMORROW! 🤩
🏆🇧🇷 CONMEBOL #Libertadores Final between @Atletico and @Botafogo is coming. #GloriaEterna pic.twitter.com/mBEX5PnIDq
- CONMEBOL Libertadores (@Libertadores) November 29, 2024
Atlético Mineiro vs Botafogo - How do they reach the final?
Atlético Mineiro was the second best team in the group stage in this edition, only behind River Plate. In the final phase, O Galo eliminated San Lorenzo with a two-to-one aggregate score, and then faced the reigning champion Fluminense. There, Mineiro lost the first leg, but a two-nil win in the second leg gave them access to the semifinals. In that instance, the Minas Gerais team beat River Plate 3-0 on aggregate, thus sealing their place in their second Copa Libertadores final.
On the other side of the field is Botafogo, a club that finished the group stage in second place in sector D, tied on points with Junior de Barranquilla. The Lone Star team defeated Palmeiras in the Round of 16 with a 4-3 aggregate score, a result that put them in the way of Sao Paulo in the quarterfinals. That series was so close that it had to be decided on penalties, and once Botafogo reached the semifinal stage, they showed their power by beating Peñarol 5-0 in the first leg. The second leg was a 3-1 victory, a score that never put their qualification for the championship game at risk.
Final Libertadores 2024 - Head-to-head and statistics before the big game
- This will be the sixth Copa Libertadores final between Brazilian clubs.
- Atlético Mineiro will compete in its second final of the tournament after winning the 2013 edition.
- Botafogo has reached its first Libertadores final in history.
- Should they become champions, Botafogo will be the eleventh Brazilian team to win the continental title.
- Despite having met on many occasions, this will be the first Copa Libertadores game between Atlético Mineiro and Botafogo.
- Just a few days ago, the most recent game between these clubs ended in a scoreless draw.
- Botafogo has won three of the five most recent duels against "Gallo".
- Atlético Mineiro's last victory against El Glorioso came last year, in a game that ended 1-0 in favor of the team coached by Luiz Felipe Scolari.
- This will be the third time that Gabriel Milito and Artur Jorge will face each other as managers of Atlético Mineiro and Botafogo, respectively. Artur Jorge has the advantage with a win and a draw against his Argentine colleague.
Who should I bet on in the title game?
The line for the result of the game has Botafogo as favorite with +106. A draw after 90 minutes is the second best option at +220, while a Mineiro win is +290.
Meanwhile, the line for whoever ends up lifting the trophy also shows Botafogo as the favorite with -166 to Atlético Mineiro's +132.
The line on both clubs scoring indicates a No favorite, with -147. The opposite option indicates +115.
Regarding the exact score, the 1-0 for Atlético Mineiro is +800. The same score, but in favor of Botafogo is +500.
Regarding goals scored by a specific player, Junior Santos pays +340, while a goal scored by Paulinho at any time has a odds of +285.
Remember that the odds are variable and may have changed by the time you place your bet.
