Copa Libertadores and Sudamericana, another thrilling night in South America with the final day of the group stage: news and predictions.
Another exciting night looms in South America with the final day of the group stage of the two most important cups, the Libertadores and the Sudamericana.
In the first continental event in the order of importance, the Copa Libertadores, it is worth keeping an eye on Group B, where three teams are bunched within just two points and are competing for the two passes to qualify for the knockout phase. Whoever finishes third will have to settle for relegation to South America. Ahead of them all, with 10 points, is Independiente de Medellin, but the Colombians are by no means safe, as they face the decisive match away in Porto Alegre against Internacional, second with nine points. Independiente, however, are coming off a series of uninspiring results at home and do not seem capable of making a splash in Brazil. In the event of a defeat for the Colombian side, Nacional, momentarily third in the table, will be able to take advantage of the situation, as they are likely to have an easy time of it against the bottom-of-the-table Metropolitanos, who have not won a single point in five matches.
Flamengo have qualification in their pockets
On the night Flamengo also took to the pitch: the Rossoneri from Rio de Janeiro, drawn in Group A, have qualification in their bag but must hope for a defeat by Racing – the Argentinians are currently two points ahead – to go through as first.
The Maracana, Flamengo’s stadium
The victory (even a wide one) should come against the last-place Aucas, but in all probability the Avellaneda club, which has always excelled in the cup so far, will also get the three points and will manage to avoid defeat against Nublense. Those who are already out are Corinthians, who have to limit the damage by being relegated to the Copa Sudamericana: the Timao will play for third place in Group E against the Uruguayans of Liverpool and will be able to play for two results out of three. At least one goal on each side in the match between the surprising Independiente del Valle and Argentinos Juniors, already certain of qualification: first place is at stake. In South America, the verdicts are still out in the very balanced Group E, where the first two places are currently occupied by Guaraní and Danubio.
The Paraguayans should obtain a positive result, and thus qualification, against Huracan, while great balance is expected between Emelec and Danubio. There should be no shortage of goals in the challenge between Bragantino, already qualified with one round in advance, and Tacuary. In Group G, Universitario are favourites against Gimnasia y Esgrima.
Copa Libertadores and Sudamericana: the possible winners
- Internacional or draw (in Internacional-Int. Medellin, Libertadores 0:00)
- Nacional (in Nacional-Metropolitanos, Libertadores 0:00)
- Corinthians (in Corinthians-Liverpool, Libertadores 2:30)
- Racing Club (in Racing Club-Nublense, Libertadores 2:30)
- Guaraní or draw (in Guaraní-Huracan, Sudamericana 2:00)
- Universitario (in Universitario-Gimnasia y Esgrima, Sudamericana 4:00)
