Velez (Argentina) – Barcelona (Ecuador)

Velez Sarsfield settled for a scoreless away draw at Brazilian side Flamengo in matchweek six, with both sides already qualified for this round, and El Fortin ended up second-placed in group G on ten points. Following that result, El Fortin have been unbeaten in their last seven matches, winning five and drawing two in regular time. At home, Mauricio Pellegrino’s men haven’t lost any of the last four, registering three victories and a single draw (0-0 against Racing Club, who won on the penalty shootout in the Copa Liga Profesional’s quarter-finals).

Barcelona SC secured the first place in group C thanks to a 3-1 home victory over Santos from Brazil, making it 13 points from 18 on offer. Last Saturday, the team returned to league action with a 1-1 home draw in the city derby against Emelec to stay in the second place of the table on 26 points in 14 rounds, two behind their arch-rivals who are leaders. Barcelona won only one of the four games played since their last Libertadores’ commitment, drawing one and losing two. On the road, they registered two successes, two draws and two defeats across the last six.

Velez will have some important missings like playmaker Thiago Almada who is with the Argentina Olympic squad, and Barcelona who won a difficult group in the previous stage and only conceded 3 goals in 6 matches should be able to take something from this game.

BET: Barcelona +0.5 @ 1.84