The Strongest vs. Boca Juniors (Wednesday, 11.00pm)
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The Strongest and Boca Juniors kick off their Copa Libertadores campaign on Wednesday when they lock horns at the Estadio Hernando Siles.
Boca Juniors are the second-most successful side in the history of the competition, and they will now look to equal Independiente's seven title wins.
We say: The Strongest 1-2 Boca Juniors
Boca Juniors are one of the most experienced sides in the competition and we fancy them to put that to good use and grab a narrow win on Wednesday.
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Deportivo vs. Atletico Mineiro (Wednesday, 11.00pm)
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In the opening Group H game of the Copa Libertadores, Deportivo La Guaira welcome Atletico Mineiro to the Estadio Olimpico de la UCV on Wednesday.
The hosts come into the tie off the back of an uneventful goalless draw against Aragua FC, while the visitors claimed a 2-1 win over Boa Esporte.
We say: Deportivo La Guaira 0-2 Atletico Mineiro
Considering the gulf in quality and experience between both sides, Atletico Mineiro are clearly the superior team, and we fancy them to grab all three points against the newcomers.
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Universitario vs. Palmeiras (Thursday, 1.00am)
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Palmeiras begin the defence of their Copa Libertadores title on Wednesday when they travel to Estadio Monumental "U" in Peru to face Universitario in their opening match in Group A.
Los Merengues won their first match of the season in the Peruvian Primera Division last Thursday while Palmeiras have gone without a goal in their past two games after drawing 0-0 against Botafogo on Sunday.
We say: Universitario 0-3 Palmeiras
Palmeiras know what it takes to do well in this competition having reached at least the quarter-finals or further in each of the past three seasons, while Universitario are here to gain more experience and could be in for a rude awakening facing the defending champions, who had four players named to the team of the tournament in 2020.
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Rentistas vs. Racing (Thursday, 1.00am)
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In their first-ever appearance in the Copa Libertadores, Rentistas welcome Racing Club to the Estadio Complejo Rentistas on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the visitors are relatively familiar with the competition, having featured in four of the last six editions.
We say: Rentistas 0-3 Racing Club
Rentistas have punched fairly above their weight in recent months, and a win here would certainly be in keeping with that trend. However, due to their familiarity and experience in this tournament, we expect the away side to coast to a comfortable victory come the full-time whistle.
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Independiente vs. Defensa (Thursday, 1.00am)
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Independiente del Valle look to remain unbeaten at home this season when they open up their Copa Libertadores campaign on Wednesday against Defensa y Justicia from Estadio Ruminahui in Ecuador.
Los Negriazules are coming off a 2-1 win against 9 de Octubre on Sunday in league play, their eighth straight match without a defeat in all competitions, while Defensa y Justicia have gone winless in their last five domestic league games in Argentina.
We say: Independiente del Valle 1-1 Defensa y Justicia
The opening match of this competition for both teams could be more challenging for the officials than anyone else as the Argentines have received eight yellow cards and three red cards in their last three games.
These sides score about as much as they concede although neither side are all that clinical in front of goal, and while qualification is a distinct possibility for both teams, neither will want to take an unnecessary risk given they each have five more games to play after this one.
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Union La Calera vs. LDU Quito (Thursday, 3.00am)
Union La Calera kick off their debut Copa Libertadores journey on Thursday at the Estadio Municipal Nicolas Chahuan Nazar when they play host to LDU Quito.
The visitors, on the other hand, are set for a third consecutive appearance in a competition in which they still seek their first-ever title.
We say: Union La Calera 1-1 LDU Quito
This is a meeting of two teams currently in great form as either side aims to steal a march on the other. We expect a close encounter, and in the end, a share of the spoils.
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America vs. Cerro Porteno (Thursday, 3.00am)
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America de Cali hope to begin their 2021 Copa Libertadores campaign on the right foot when they play host to Cerro Porteno at Estadio Pascual Guerrero on Wednesday.
The Colombian team won for the first time in their last three matches on Sunday, beating Deportes Tolima 2-0, while El Ciclon lost 3-0 to Libertad in the Paraguayan Primera Division.
We say: America de Cali 1-1 Cerro Porteno
America are the best defensive team in Colombia right now, conceding only 12 goals in their first 18 matches, and they will aim for a better to start this tournament than they had in 2020.
Cerro Porteno have two incredibly potent strikers that know how to find the back of the net, so shutting them down for 90 minutes might be too much to ask.
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Barney Corkhill
