Independiente (Argentina) vs Guarani (Paraguay)
Independiente played their best match of the Copa Sudamericana so far last week, coming from behind to thrash CA Boston River 5-1 away from home. With the fifth round already underway, El Rojo currently sit third in Group A with six points, but will move into first place if they win this match. This past Sunday, they defeated Independiente Rivadavia 1-0 at home to advance to the quarter-finals of the Argentine Torneo Apertura. In addition to those two straight wins, Julio Vaccari’s men are unbeaten in their last 24 home games, with 16 wins and 8 draws.
Club Guaraní earned a crucial point on the road last week, coming back from two goals down to draw 2-2 at CA Nacional Potosí thanks to a late penalty converted by Diego Fernández in the 88th minute. As a result, they sit top of Group A in the Copa Sudamericana with eight points. On Saturday, they suffered a 2-0 home defeat to Cerro Porteño, remaining second in the Paraguayan Torneo Apertura with 32 points from 18 matches, four behind Club Libertad.
Independiente must win here to jump into the 1st place of the group with 1 game left. They are in good form, in a great undefeated run at home and will face a Guarani that will have to use their 3rd goalkeeper, a 20 year old that debuted last weekend while they will also miss other starters like defender Daniel Perez and midfielder Luis Martinez. They have to be tired after a very long trip to the huge altitude of Potosi last week so I expect Independiente to get an easy win.