São Paulo vs Atlético Nacional Prediction: A decisive return leg in Brazil

São Paulo vs Atlético Nacional: Prediction and odds on the Match on 20 August 2025

São Paulo hosts Atlético Nacional in the crucial second leg of the Copa Libertadores 2025 Round of 16 at Morumbí, following a 0-0 draw in the first leg at Estadio Atanasio Girardot last week. São Paulo is coming off a 2-2 draw in the Brasileirão against bottom-placed Sport Recife in a game they should have won. Atlético Nacional, on the other hand, is also fresh off a 2-2 draw against Fortaleza over the weekend. This game is a very important one, and the teams will not throw caution to the wind in their performance on Wednesday. I expect a very tough game with the Brazilian side coming out victorious. Check the team conditions! Several betting options are available.

São Paulo: form and statistics

Form in all competitions: DDWDW

The Tricolor Paulista have found their footing in the league, marking a tremendous comeback with five consecutive league victories and a draw in their last league game against Sport Recife. They were met with fierce opposition and a strain of inconsistency in their first 10 league games, with 2 wins, 2 losses, and 6 draws, but they’ve quickly overcome that phase of inconsistency. Last time out, they were held to a 2-2 draw by Sport Recife in their last Brasileirao game, Sport Recife were already 2 goals up in the 60th minute of the game, but Lucas Moura got the first goal for Sao Paulo in the 66th minute before Malik Gomes evened the scoreline in the last minute of the game to give Sao Paulo a point and also keep their 6 league game unbeaten run alive.

In the Copa Libertadores, it's a different ball game entirely as the Tricolor Paulista has had an impressive amount of success from the five games played so far in the competition. They finished top, and remained unbeaten throughout their run in Group D, with 4 consecutive wins and a draw, which was in their opening Group D game. They played Atletico Nacional in the first leg of their round of 16 game, and even though they had prospects on goal with a few big chances created, they still ended up with a goalless draw. The worst part was that they lost the opportunity to score from the spot as Edwin Carfona missed a penalty in the early minutes of the first half. They will be hoping for a different result entirely in this return-leg clash.

São Paulo: Lineup

Andre Silva is on fire for São Paulo in the Copa Libertadores, and he has scored 3 goals and one assist for São Paulo in the Copa Libertadores. Ferreira is also very instrumental upfront, and it’s also important to note that he remains a huge goal threat in the midfield. 

Player to watch out for: André Silva

The 27-year-old forward has 3 goals and one assist in the Libertadores. He remains a key threat to any defense.

🔖 São Paulo probable starting lineup (4-2-3-1)

Rafael— Franco, Arboleda, Ferraresi, Diaz— Bobadilla, Pablo Maia, — Luciano, Oscar, Lucas Ferreira— Andre Silva.

⛔️ Out: Wendell, Calleri, Luiz Gustavo, Robert Arboleda, Ryan Francisco, (injured)

👤 Head coach: Luis Zulbeldia

Atlético Nacional: form and statistics

Form in all competitions: DDWWD

Atletico Nacional is excelling domestically, with an unbeaten record in their last 7 games across all competitions. They are currently 2nd placed in the Primera A Apertura with 12 points from 7 games, and they are currently the second team with the most goals in the league this season. Fortaleza gave them a run for their money in their last league game as both teams took a share of the spoils in their 2-2 draw.

In the Libertadores Group F, the Verdolaga finished in second place with three wins and three losses from the six games played. They head on to the round of 16, where they faced Sao Paulo last week. The game was a very tightly contested game, which ended in a goalless draw. Atletico Nacional had more goal attempts and even created more chances than Sao Paulo in that game, but unfortunately, the game ended in a draw. They now have to aim for a win as they prepare for the return leg on Wednesday.

Atlético Nacional: Probable Lineup

Atlético Nacional: Lineup

Javier Gandolfi plays a 4-2-3-1 defensively balancing squad with massive attacking from the flanks spearheaded by Viveros. Alfredo Morelos is the man and threat in goal for Atletico Nacional. 

🔖 Atlético Nacional probable starting lineup (4-3-3)

David Ospina – Roman, Juan Arias, William Tesillo, Camilo Candido– Jorman Campuzano, Juan Zapata, – Marino Hinestroza, Edwin Cardona, Marlos Moreno – Alfredo Morelos 

⛔️Out: Cesar Haydar, Dairon Asprilla, Facundo Batista, Sebastian Guzman (injured),

👤 Head coach: Javier Gandolfi

São Paulo vs Atlético Nacional: head to head statistics

This is the 8th meeting between the teams; Atlético Nacional leads in their head-to-head stats with 4 wins, while São Paulo struggles with a win and 2 draws. The last time they met was in the round of 16 of the 2016 Copa Libertadores, and Atlético Nacional won both legs.

São Paulo vs Atlético Nacional: Betting Tips & Odds

• No losses for Atletico Nacional in their last 6 games, and the option for Atletico Nacional to win this game is offered on the 1xBet bookmaker website for odds of 5.15;
• There have been fewer than 2.5 goals in 5 of their last 6 games, and this option is available on the Betway bookmaker website at 1.43 odds;
• There have been fewer than 10.5 corners in 5 of their last 7 games, and this option is available on the Betway bookmaker website at 1.40 odds;
• Some experts believe that Sao Paulo will win, and this option is offered in the Bet365 bookmaker at 1.77 odds;

São Paulo vs Atlético Nacional match prediction 20 August 2025

São Paulo will be counting on their strong Copa Libertadores record at the Morumbí as they prepare for the second leg against Atlético Nacional. The first meeting was a hard-fought battle, with both sides leaving everything on the pitch.

History hasn’t been kind to São Paulo in this fixture; they haven’t managed a win against Atlético Nacional in their last three encounters, but this time, they’ll be more determined than ever to break that jinx. The current form of both teams suggests we’re in for a tight contest. São Paulo are unbeaten in their last nine matches, while Atlético Nacional are riding their seven-game unbeaten streak. With both teams evenly matched, this has all the hallmarks of an intense clash. I believe both teams will find the net, and we can bank on this. We can also take a look at the corner options as we expect a highly attacking game here; it's a do-or-die affair for the teams.

Our match prediction is a total of over 8.5 corners for a coefficient of 1.61 in the 1xBet bookmaker.

Our betting tip on the match is the second half most scoring half, for a coefficient of 2.22 in the Betway bookmaker.

Lastly, both teams to score for 2.33 odds in the Bet365 bookmaker.