San Lorenzo (Argentina) – Recoleta (Paraguay)
San Lorenzo earned a very valuable point from their visit to Santos FC, drawing 2–2 after trailing by two goals until the 75th minute. Thanks to that result, El Ciclón remain top of Copa Sudamericana Group D with seven points and will advance directly to the round of 16 if they win on Tuesday. With no more league action remaining, Gustavo Álvarez’s side are now on a five-match winless streak across all competitions (four draws and one defeat in regular time). Recoleta FC are putting together a respectable campaign in their first-ever international appearance in 95 years of history. An entertaining 2–2 draw away to Deportivo Cuenca left them third in Copa Sudamericana Group D with five points, but still with very realistic chances of advancing. If Los Canarios defeat San Lorenzo, they will secure at least second place and qualify for the playoff round; and if Deportivo Cuenca also fail to beat Santos FC, Recoleta would win the group and advance directly to the round of 16. On Saturday, with a heavily rotated lineup, they closed out their Paraguayan Torneo Apertura campaign with a 2–1 home victory over Guaraní, finishing eighth with 28 points from 22 matches. Recoleta also snapped a three-match winless streak across all competitions (one draw and two defeats). Away from home, however, they have gone 11 matches without a victory, recording three draws in regular time and eight defeats. The visitors must win to make it to the next round, San Lorenzo’s morale had a boost last week coming back from 2 goals down to get a draw at Brazil, so I expect an open game here with the visitors taking risks and the hosts knowing how to take advantage of them.