LDU Quito vs Palmeiras (Copa Libertadores): odds and picks 24.10.2025

This semi-final pits two teams in great form against each other, but from very different paths. LDU Quito has surprised everyone by eliminating Brazilian giants Botafogo and São Paulo in previous rounds, without conceding any goals in either of the second legs. The altitude of Quito (2,850 m) has been a key weapon for the Ecuadorians, who make the Rodrigo Paz Delgado Stadium a fortress.

Palmeiras, meanwhile, comes into the match as the most solid team in the entire Copa: it has won nine of its ten matches in the tournament and has conceded very few goals. It is the only semi-finalist that has not gone to extra time or penalties in any of its knockout matches. Its squad has plenty of experience, with players such as Gustavo Gómez, Raphael Veiga and Vitor Roque, and the club already knows what it takes to win the Libertadores in recent years.

Key factors

• Altitude is a real factor. Palmeiras is used to competing in difficult stadiums, but the oxygen at 2,850 metres is a handicap that affects the pace, intensity and transitions.
• LDU has not conceded a goal at home since the round of 16. They beat São Paulo 1-0 and had previously eliminated Botafogo after a 0-0 draw in Quito. Their defence, with Quinónez, Ordóñez and goalkeeper Domínguez, has been very solid.
• Palmeiras has not lost away from home in the entire 2025 Libertadores. It has won in Colombia, Paraguay and Argentina, and knows how to manage the tempo of the game. It has many resources to resist and strike when the opponent exposes itself.
• Conflicting styles: LDU is comfortable dominating possession, while Palmeiras defends deep and looks to hurt opponents on quick transitions, where Veiga and Vitor Roque are dangerous.

Key players

LDU Quito

• Lisandro Alzugaray: A strong, experienced striker. His presence in the box will be key to pinning down the Brazilian centre-backs. He is the team’s top goal scorer with 11 goals and 4 assists.
• Bryan Josias: The Ecuadorian midfielder is the team’s balancing force. He has 7 goals and assists and is one of the players with the most minutes on the squad.

Palmeiras

• Raphael Veiga: An attacking midfielder with great vision and a powerful shot. If he finds space, he can break the deadlock.
• Gustavo Gómez: Defensive leader and captain. His experience and aerial play will be vital in countering LDU’s long balls and set pieces.

📈 Form and background

• LDU has won three of its last four Libertadores matches and has not conceded a goal since the quarter-finals. In addition, it has just eliminated two Brazilian teams in a row.
• Palmeiras has scored in all but one of its games in the tournament. It averages more than 1.9 goals per game and has conceded only 4 in the entire competition.
• There have not been many recent head-to-head matches, but in the 2008 Libertadores, the two teams met in the group stage and LDU won in Quito.

🎯 Our prediction for LDU Quito vs Palmeiras

My predicted result: LDU Quito 0-1 Palmeiras

This will be a tactical rather than spectacular match. LDU has the tools to compete, but Palmeiras has more options, experience and knows how to close out knockout ties. In addition, they are coming into the match with a virtually full squad.