Independiente Santa Fe (Colombia) – Platense (Argentina)
Independiente Santa Fe suffered a huge disappointment in their last Copa Libertadores match: after a strong performance, they ended up drawing 1–1 at home against SC Corinthians because of a goal conceded in the 93rd minute. As a result, they remain bottom of Group H with only two points and now need to win their final two matches to keep dreaming of a place in the round of 16. On Saturday, Los Cardenales drew 1–1 at home against Junior in the first leg of the Colombian Torneo Apertura semifinals, extending their unbeaten run across all competitions to five matches, with two wins and three draws (the last team to beat them was Platense, 2–1 in Argentina). At home, Santa Fe are unbeaten in six matches (three wins and three draws). Head coach Pablo Repetto will be without several important players on Tuesday: Yilmar Velásquez, Emanuel Olivera, Helibelton Palacios, and Juan Quintero are all ruled out with different injuries. Platense continue to rise to the occasion in the Copa Libertadores. Two weeks ago, the team rescued a hugely important point with a 1–1 home draw against Peñarol despite falling behind early. As a result, El Calamar consolidated second place in Group E with seven points, maintaining their advantage over the chasing pack and needing just one more point from their remaining two matches to secure a historic qualification to the round of 16 in their first appearance in the competition. Already eliminated from the Argentine Torneo Apertura, and with heavy rotation in the lineup, Platense played in the Copa Argentina last Wednesday, defeating San Martín SJ on penalties after a goalless draw to advance to the round of 16. Independiente Santa Fe with some missings and probably tired because they are in the middle of the colombian league semifinals, Platense won’t have striker Nassif who suffered a knee injury and they will be more than happy with a draw here as they would secure a place in the next round for them, so I expect a tight game with few goal chances.