Recoleta (Paraguay) vs Boca (Argentina)
Recoleta FC have a difficult task ahead on Tuesday. They took an early lead last week but could not cope after two players were sent off and eventually lost 3–1 away to Boca Juniors at the Estadio Tomás Adolfo Ducó. They therefore need to win by at least two goals to continue making history in their first international campaign. On Friday, Jorge González’s largely rotated side suffered their second consecutive defeat, losing 2–1 at home to 2 de Mayo. Recoleta have seven points from five matches in the Paraguayan Torneo Clausura. The result also ended a 10-match unbeaten run at home (six wins and four draws). However, they will move their home fixture to Estadio Defensores del Chaco on Tuesday to accommodate Boca’s travelling support. Wilfrido Báez and Dairon Mosquera, both sent off in the first leg, are suspended, as is Juan Franco after reaching the yellow-card limit. Boca Juniors took advantage of their numerical superiority to gain the upper hand in their Copa Sudamericana round-of-16 tie. After a strong second half, they defeated Recoleta FC 3–1 at the Estadio Tomás Adolfo Ducó and now travel to Paraguay with a comfortable advantage. On Saturday, the team drew 1–1 away to Platense and have six points from their first five Torneo Clausura matches, leaving them outside the playoff qualification places. Overall, Rodolfo Arruabarrena’s side are unbeaten in their last five matches across all competitions (two wins and three draws). Boca woke up in the 2nd half to easily beat Recoleta in the 1st leg and they travel to Paraguay, where they will fell almost at home against this very small Recoleta club and I expect to see an open game again because they will have to take many risks to try to come back from the 1-3 of the 1st leg.