Talleres (Argentina) vs Flamengo (Brazil)
Talleres claimed a much-needed 1-0 home success over Sporting Cristal last week to keep their hope alive in the Copa Libertadores. The team are second-placed in group H on six points, three above Universidad Catolica in third. Last Saturday, a completely alternative XI ended up losing 3-0 away at Atletico Tucuman, which places them as the worst team in the Argentine league with only eight points in 13 matches. Overall, Pedro Caixinha’s men lost five of their last seven games, winning the other two, but Talleres also claimed four victories across the last five at home, only losing to Defensa y Justicia in the process.
Meanwhile, Flamengo are finding it easy in this competition so far. Last week, the team managed a 3-2 away success at Universidad Catolica to remain as leaders in group H with nine points in three games. On Sunday, a rotated XI also beat third-tier side Altos 2-1 away in the first leg of the Copa do Brasil’s round of 64. Speaking of the league, O Rubro Negro have been irregular so far, accumulating five points in four games. Flamengo lost only one of their last nine matches in all competitions. On away turf, they won the last two.
I expect an open game here with Talleres trying to stay strong at home and leaving spaces for the always dangerous Flamengo.