U. Catolica vs. Libertad (Wednesday, 11.00pm)
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Needing a victory by two or more goals to have any hope of progressing into the next phase of the Copa Sudamericana, Universidad Catolica will host Club Libertad in the second leg of that round of 32 clash on Wednesday at Estadio Olimpico Atahualpa in Ecuador.
In the opening game between these two sides last week, a pair of second-half strikes lifted the reigning Paraguayan champions to a 2-0 triumph in Asuncion.
We say: Universidad Catolica 0-0 Club Libertad (Club Libertad advance 2-0 on aggregate)
Having a two-goal cushion coming into this match should allow Club Libertad to focus on what they do best, play in a compact low block and hit their opponents on the counter.
All tournament long, the Ecuadorians have struggled to produce much quality in the attacking third, and we expect they will be left frustrated on Wednesday against a side that are well-organised and disciplined on the backline.
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Bragantino vs. Barcelona (Thursday, 1.30am)
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Bragantino can maintain their 100% home record at the 2024 Copa Sudamericana when they host Barcelona SC in the second leg of that round-of-32 tie on Wednesday at Estadio Nabi Abi Chedid.
The Brazilians failed to hang onto an early advantage in the first game of this tie last week, playing to a 1-1 draw heading to the return leg in Braganca Paulista.
We say: Bragantino 1-1 Barcelona SC (Bragantino to win on penalties)
Just like the first leg, we anticipate a close match on Wednesday, but with the football gods smiling on Braga, who have an excellent shot-stopper between the sticks, we believe they will have learned a lot from their exit at this tournament on penalties last year.
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Boca Juniors vs. Independiente (Thursday, 1.30am)
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A place in the last 16 of the Copa Sudamericana will be at stake on Wednesday at La Bombonera when Boca Juniors host Independiente del Valle in the second leg of that tie.
The opening encounter between them ended in a 0-0 draw, leaving it all to play for in midweek when the scene shifts to La Boca in Buenos Aires in a winner-take-all showdown.
We say: Boca Juniors 1-0 Independiente del Valle (Boca Juniors to win 1-0 on aggregate)
These are two sides with a vast array of experience in knockout matches of this magnitude and with little to choose between them, we are giving the edge to Boca given their home form, but it could go either way.
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Oliver Thomas
