Abel Ferreira’s Palmeiras reserve title for Thursday

Victory over Fluminense (1-0) in the penultimate round of the Brazilian football championship left Palmeiras, under the leadership of Abel Ferreira, with re-confirmation of the title in the palm of their hands. The party is scheduled for the early hours (in Portugal) of next Thursday, in the last round at the Cruzeiro Stadium. And only disaster stops the celebration. This is because Palmeiras could even lose the last game.

Mathematically, only three teams can achieve the title: Flamengo and Atlético Mineiro, as well as Palmeiras. But according to a study based on data from the University of Minas Gerais and published by the Globo newspaper, Abel Ferreira’s team has a 99.97% chance of becoming champions. This is because the goal difference is in her favor.

The Sao Paulo team has 69 points, versus 66 from the Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais team. Therefore, they can all find themselves in equal conditions. In this case, the goals criterion applies, since Palmeiras cannot be surpassed on points or wins (priority criteria). And to overcome the difference, Atlético Mineiro will have to compensate for the eight-goal gap. Flamengo will have to score 16 goals. Extremely unlikely scenarios. And for this to happen would be strange.

DETAILS
Abel’s departure – open scenario
With the title all but guaranteed, Abel Ferreira has avoided the topic of continuity at Palmeiras, with whom he has a contract until 2024. But he made it clear that he intended to leave. “Working as a coach in Brazil is very tiring: games and travel every three days. When I said I was fed up, I wasn’t lying.”

Eight titles won in three years
Abel Ferreira won eight titles in three years at Palmeiras: Taca Libertadores (2), Recopa Sudamericana (1), Taca do Brasil (1), Brasileiro (1), Campeonato Paulista (2) and Brazilian Super Cup (1).