Barcelona (Ecuador) – Cruzeiro (Brazil)
Barcelona had a great qualifying round where they eliminated Botafogo, another brazilian team that was coming with high hopes to this competition after winning it in 2024. They arrive at this first game of the groups stage with a very good 7 games undefeated run. Cruzeiro on the other hand had a rough start in the Brazileirao where they are in the penultimate position after 10 rounds, and it looks like they will be fighting to avoid relegation this season. Last weekend they suffered a heavy 1-4 defeat against Sao Paulo, and won’t have their legendary goalkeeper Cassio who suffered a serious knee injury a few weeks ago. I can’t understand why the hosts are not favorite here and I have to take them at this odds.