Copa Libertadores and Sudamericana, the group stage concludes in the night. Boca Juniors and Palmeiras are also on the pitch: news and predictions.
The group stage of the Copa Libertadores, South America’s most important event, comes to an end overnight. There are still several verdicts to be decided.
The top two qualify for the knockout stage; the third will have to play a play-off against the runners-up in the Copa Sudamericana group stage, South America’s equivalent of the Europa League, in order to continue their adventure in the second-largest continental competition. Those who are already sure to have secured a pass to the round of 16 is Boca Juniors, leading Group F with 10 points.
So far, the only satisfaction for the Xeneizes has come from the Libertadores. In the championship, they are 14th, at a sidereal distance from the leader River Plate.
In order to finish as first, the historic Buenos Aires club would only need at least a point at the Bombonera against the Venezuelans of Monagas, second to last on five points but still in the running for both second and third place. In the other match, however, Colo Colo’s Chileans, despite being last in the standings at the moment (tied with Monagas, ahead on goal difference), would leapfrog Deportivo Pereira (7) into second place with a win. Provided, of course, that Boca do not play tricks and confirm the eve’s predictions in the challenge with Maturin’s club. In the first leg between Deportivo Pereira and Colo Colo ended 1-1: the odds are very high that they will both score this time too.
Palmeiras will be playing for first place
In Group C, all that remains is to determine who will qualify for the round of 16 as first and who will be relegated to South America. At the top, with 13 points, are Bolivar and Palmeiras: the Brazilians will not be satisfied with a draw given their worse goal difference than the Bolivians.
Rony del Palmeiras
Abel Ferreira’s Verdao are coming off two defeats in a row in the Brasileirao: the last one definitely hurt, having come against Botafogo in the lead. They will attempt to redeem themselves in Libertadores, in a match that should guarantee at least three goals in total. Competing for third place are Barcelona SC and Cerro Porteno: the Ecuadorians are not in a good moment, but should make the home factor count against another team that is not doing so well.
In the Copa Sudamericana, we imagine a wide victory for Botafogo against bottom-of-the-table Magallenes: with a success, the Rio de Janeiro players would go through as first, qualifying directly for the round of 16. On the other hand, Newell’s Old Boys, already certain of first place, could concede at least one goal in a match that has little to say against Audax Italiano, who are also aritmetically qualified. Already eliminated, Santos should be unleashed against Blooming, last with zero points and struggling with a sieve defence. Defensa y Justicia only need a draw to avoid the play-offs, but the Colombian Millonarios, who won 3-0 in the first leg, will leave no stone unturned. America Mineiro’s victory against a disastrous Penarol was within their grasp: the Brazilians are still theoretically in with a chance of second place, but they must win by several goals and hope for a Defensa victory.
Copa Libertadores and Sudamericana: the possible winners
- Boca Juniors (in Boca Juniors-Monagas, Libertadores 0:00)
- Barcelona SC or draw (in Barcelona SC-Cerro Porteno, Libertadores 2:00)
- Millonarios or draw (in Defensa y Justicia-Millonarios, Sudamericana 2:00)
- America Mineiro (in Penarol-America Mineiro, Sudamericana 2:00)
