Palmeiras vs. Cerro Porteno (Wednesday, 11.15pm)
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Heading into the second leg of their round of 16 tie at the Copa Libertadores, it would take a significant collapse by Palmeiras at Allianz Parque on Wednesday for Cerro Porteno to advance into the next round.
The reigning two-time winners of this competition hold a 3-0 advantage from the opening match, as the Paraguayans seek a spot in the quarter-finals for the first time since 2019.
We say: Palmeiras 2-0 Cerro Porteno
With a sizeable advantage heading into this leg, you might be inclined to see Palmeiras be a little more passive, but they are deceptively quick on the counter, and you rarely know when this team will attack you with numbers going forward.
We expect El Ciclon to put up a fight, but in the end, this team do not have the quality to trouble a backline, who are among the stingiest in South America.
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Colon vs. Talleres (Wednesday, 11.15pm)
For the first time since 1998, Colon will host a match in the knockout stage of the Copa Libertadores when they welcome fellow Argentine side Talleres to Estadio Brigadier General Estanislao Lopez on Wednesday.
La T came away with a 1-1 draw in the first leg of this round of 16 tie, thanks to an equalising goal in the 87th minute, giving them a chance to make it into the last eight for the first time in club history.
We say: Colon 1-1 Talleres (Talleres advance on penalties)
There is little to choose between these two sides, who do not allow much in the attacking third, nor do they create a lot of clear-cut opportunities.
We are picking Talleres to advance, as they are essentially playing with house money and were not expected to make it this far, and that should enable them to play a little looser in what should be a close game.
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Flamengo vs. Tolima (Thursday, 1.30am)
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The last Colombian hope at the 2022 Copa Libertadores, Deportes Tolima, come into their match versus Flamengo on Wednesday in need of a victory at the Maracana.
Last week, Deportes saw their nine-match unbeaten run in all competitions come to an end when the 2021 runners-up at this tournament blanked them by a 1-0 score in the first leg of that round of 16 tie.
We say: Flamengo 2-0 Deportes Tolima
When things are at their worst, Flamengo can always count on the Copa Libertadores to boost their spirits and keep them motivated.
Even though they do not look like the South American force of recent years, they have more than enough quality individuals to pick up the slack and make it through this tie.
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River Plate vs. Velez Sarsfield (Thursday, 1.30am)
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Velez Sarsfield are on the verge of making it to the quarter-finals of the Copa Libertadores for the first time since 2012 as they lead River Plate by a 1-0 score heading into the second leg of that knockout fixture on Wednesday.
La Banda suffered their first defeat of the tournament last Wednesday, while the team from Liniers are winless in four straight road fixtures in all competitions.
We say: River Plate 2-0 Velez Sarsfield
River Plate were not at their best in the opening fixture last week, but you do not get the reputation they have by luck, and this is a resilient group that know how to handle any situation which may arise.
It is hard to envision Velez Sarsfield being able to keep Los Millonarios at bay for a second successive fixture, especially on their home field, where River have tallied 14 times in three Libertadores encounters this year.
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Barney Corkhill
