Flamengo (Brazil) – Defensa y Justicia (Argentina)
Flamengo took a key lead after beating Defensa y Justicia 1-0 away in the first leg last Wednesday, when winger Michael scored the winner in the first half. Therefore, Renato Portaluppi’s men need to avoid defeat as hosts (in Brasilia) to advance to the quarter-finals. On Sunday, the side thrashed EC Bahia 5-0 away to climb into sixth spot (the last Copa Libertadores’ berth) in the Brazilian league table, having managed 18 points in ten games. In fact, O Rubro Negro are on three wins in a row in all competitions. They succumbed to two defeats in their last 13 home matches, winning nine and drawing two.
Defensa y Justicia will need to make history in Brazil again. Following their 1-0 home defeat to Flamengo last week, they are now forced to win on the road to keep their hope alive. On Sunday, coach Sebastian Beccacece rotated his players and the team succumbed to a 2-1 away loss at Huracan in their debut in the Liga Profesional. That means they are on three winless games, with one draw and two losses since beating Palmeiras away in the group stage. That was their only win in the last six away games, along with two draws and three defeats.
Flamengo at Brazil should be too much for this Defensa that is clearly far from the team they used to be.
BET: Flamengo -1 @ 1.80