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Palmeiras and Fluminense meet in the CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores on Thursday 22 October 2026, and ahead of kickoff these predicted lineups highlight just how differently the two coaches have been rotating their squads. Abel Ferreira’s side shows a settled spine but real uncertainty at full-back, while Marcão’s Fluminense have shuffled through options across both the back four and attack. Below are our projected XIs for this match, built from recent starting patterns rather than any official team sheet.
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Predicted Palmeiras Line-up
Palmeiras are projected to set up in a 4-2-3-1, the shape Abel Ferreira prefers. The side is largely settled, with 9 of the projected XI starting their last match, which points to a fairly clear picture heading into this fixture. Carlos Miguel has started all five matches used for this projection and has been first-choice in goal throughout, while at the other end of the defence Luis Benedetti has not started any of those five games despite being pencilled in here – a reminder that full-back remains the least certain area of the side. Through the middle, Andreas Pereira, Lucas Evangelista and José Manuel López have all started every match used, underlining how settled Palmeiras are in central areas even as the back line shifts.
Palmeiras predicted XI: Carlos Miguel; Alexander Barboza, Murilo Cerqueira Paim, Bruno Fuchs, Luis Benedetti; Andreas Pereira, Lucas Evangelista, José Manuel López, Joaquín Piquerez, Jhon Arias; Ramon Sosa
| Line | # | Player | Starts in last 5 | Last 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | 1 | Carlos Miguel | 5/5 | 3/3 |
| D | 2 | Alexander Barboza | 5/5 | 3/3 |
| D | 26 | Murilo Cerqueira Paim | 4/5 | 3/3 |
| D | 3 | Bruno Fuchs | 1/5 | 1/3 |
| D | 43 | Luis Benedetti | 0/5 | 0/3 |
| M | 8 | Andreas Pereira | 5/5 | 3/3 |
| M | 30 | Lucas Evangelista | 5/5 | 3/3 |
| M | 42 | José Manuel López | 5/5 | 3/3 |
| M | 22 | Joaquín Piquerez | 4/5 | 3/3 |
| M | 11 | Jhon Arias | 3/5 | 2/3 |
| F | 19 | Ramon Sosa | 1/5 | 1/3 |
Fluminense Predicted Lineup
Fluminense are also expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 under Marcão. Like their opponents, this projection is largely settled, with 9 of the projected XI starting their last match, giving a reasonably clear expected XI for this one. Fábio Deivson Lopes Maciel has started all five matches used here and looks the clearest certainty in the side, while further back Thiago Silva has started three of the same five games but was left out last time out, making the centre-back pairing the area most likely to change before kickoff. Further forward, Agustín Canobbio and Yeferson Soteldo both arrive among the more frequently used attacking options feeding into Rodrigo Castillo up front.
Fluminense predicted XI: Fábio Deivson Lopes Maciel; Julian Millan, Samuel Xavier Brito, Ignácio da Silva Oliveira, Thiago Silva; Gustavo Nonato Santana, Agustín Canobbio, Luciano Acosta, Yeferson Soteldo, Hércules Pereira do Nascimento; Rodrigo Castillo
| Line | # | Player | Starts in last 5 | Last 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | 1 | Fábio Deivson Lopes Maciel | 5/5 | 3/3 |
| D | 29 | Julian Millan | 4/5 | 2/3 |
| D | 2 | Samuel Xavier Brito | 3/5 | 2/3 |
| D | 4 | Ignácio da Silva Oliveira | 2/5 | 2/3 |
| D | 3 | Thiago Silva | 3/5 | 1/3 |
| M | 16 | Gustavo Nonato Santana | 4/5 | 3/3 |
| M | 17 | Agustín Canobbio | 4/5 | 3/3 |
| M | 32 | Luciano Acosta | 3/5 | 2/3 |
| M | 30 | Yeferson Soteldo | 2/5 | 2/3 |
| M | 35 | Hércules Pereira do Nascimento | 2/5 | 1/3 |
| F | 19 | Rodrigo Castillo | 2/5 | 2/3 |
Injuries and Suspensions
Vitor dos Santos Figueiredo and Jefte Vital da Silva Dias are out injured, while Vitor Roque, Agustin Giay and Gustavo Gómez are unavailable through suspension, a blow that thins Palmeiras in midfield and across defence and attack alike. With Giay and Gómez both out, Bruno Fuchs and Murilo Cerqueira Paim are among those expected to continue at the back, while from the bench Marlon Freitas, who has started three of the matches used here, looks the likeliest option to step into central midfield if needed.
| Player | Pos | Status | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vitor Roque | F | suspended | Inactive |
| Agustin Giay | D | suspended | Yellow card suspension |
| Gustavo Gómez | D | suspended | Yellow card suspension |
| Jefte Vital da Silva Dias | D | injured | Jumpers knee |
Alisson, Germán Ezequiel Cano Recalde, Matheus Reis and John Kennedy are out injured, while Guilherme Arana and Matheus Martinelli Lima are unavailable through suspension, leaving Fluminense notably short of options up front and at left-back. Hulk, who has started three of the five matches used in this projection, stands out as the most in-form forward on the bench and the natural first option if changes are needed in attack.
| Player | Pos | Status | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guilherme Arana | D | suspended | Yellow card suspension |
| Matheus Martinelli Lima | M | suspended | Inactive |
| Alisson | M | injured | Hip injury |
| Germán Ezequiel Cano Recalde | F | injured | Hamstring Injury |
| Matheus Reis | F | injured | Jumpers knee |
| John Kennedy | F | injured | Jumpers knee |
How These Line-ups Were Picked
Each predicted lineup was built from the last five matches for Palmeiras and Fluminense, with more recent appearances weighted more heavily than older ones when judging who is likely to start. Any player confirmed injured or suspended was removed from contention before the XI was assembled. This is a projection, not a confirmed team news release, and it can change once the official lineups are announced closer to kickoff.
Read Also: Palmeiras vs Fluminense RJ Prediction: 22.10.2026 Copa Libertadores 2026 Preview
FAQ
Who is predicted to start in goal for Palmeiras and Fluminense?
Carlos Miguel is projected to start in goal for Palmeiras, having started all five matches used in this projection, while Fábio Deivson Lopes Maciel is expected to do the same for Fluminense after also starting all five.
What formation are Palmeiras and Fluminense expected to use?
Both sides are projected to line up in a 4-2-3-1, which is the preferred formation of Abel Ferreira at Palmeiras and Marcão at Fluminense.
Who is unavailable for Palmeiras vs Fluminense?
Palmeiras are without Vitor dos Santos Figueiredo and Jefte Vital da Silva Dias through injury and Vitor Roque, Agustin Giay and Gustavo Gómez through suspension, while Fluminense are missing Alisson, Germán Ezequiel Cano Recalde, Matheus Reis and John Kennedy through injury and Guilherme Arana and Matheus Martinelli Lima through suspension.
When do Palmeiras and Fluminense play and where can I see the predicted lineups and team news?
Palmeiras host Fluminense on Thursday 22 October 2026, and the predicted lineups and team news for the match are set out above ahead of kickoff.