Atletico Bucaramanga vs Atletico Mineiro: Copa Sudamericana Match Predictions

Thursday night's opening leg of the Copa Sudamericana matchup pits Atletico Bucaramanga against Atletico Mineiro, two teams vying for a berth in the round of 16.

While Galo is looking to get back on track this week, Los Leopardos have been riding high on the Colombian stage as of late.

Previous Matches and Head-to-Head

Atletico Bucaramanga have gone five games without a loss in all competitions since May 30—a run that includes Sunday's significant 1-1 draw with Chico FC in the league. Chico FC are Chilean giants.

Just before halftime, right-back Frank Salas put the visitors on the verge of an unexpected road victory. However, Los Leopardos wasted no time responding, as their star player Luciano Pons scored a penalty to put the game back in their hands.

Highlighting Bucaramanga's star player, the 35-year-old has scored an incredible 12 goals in 24 games after joining on loan from Universidad de Chile in January. This includes three goals in five matches for the Copa Libertadores.

After being relegated from the Libertadores group stage, where they finished third behind Racing Club, Fortaleza, and Colo Colo, Los Leopardos advance to the Copa Sudamericana's knockout rounds.

Atletico Mineiro, which won the Copa Libertadores in 2013, has more international experience than Thursday night's hosts. Nevertheless, that is of little consequence as the two teams prepare to compete over two legs for a spot in the semifinals of the Sudamericana this year.

Hulk scored an equaliser for Galo in the 91st minute, but the hosts swiftly made Hulk's goal meaningless with a late victory in the Brazilian Serie A match. Before the loss, Galo had been on an eight-game winning streak in all competitions.

Atletico Mineiro have been outstanding in 2025 in the South American arena, focusing on the Sudamericana. They lost just one of their six section matches and finished second in Group H, behind Peru's Cienciano.

Former Porto star Hulk was a revelation for Galo after signing with the club in January 2021 from Shanghai Port in China. In 253 competitive appearances for Galo, he scored an incredible 126 goals, leading his team to the Serie A championship in his first season.

Atletico Bucaramanga vs Atletico Mineiro Team News

Aldair Gutierrez will be unable to play in Thursday night's match against the Brazilians after being sent off in the Sudamericana loss to Colo Colo.

Santiago Jimenez may end up playing right back for Bucaramanga, who will have to find a replacement.

Cadu, a striker for Atletico Mineiro, is still sidelined with a long-term injury but is anticipated to return by the month's end.

Patrick Silva, a defensive midfielder for Galo, has been out since the first match of June against Ceará due to a back injury.

Our predictions

Full-time draw @ 2.97 on Sky247.ng

Bucaramanga, having fallen from the Libertadores, will enter the following round of the competition with high hopes of advancing to the round of 16. Still, the Brazilian powerhouse Atletico Mineiro ought to be able to claim at least a part of the spoils in Colombia.

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