Racing Club (Argentina) vs Melgar (Peru)
Racing Club claimed an important victory on their visit to Cuiaba EC in their last Copa Sudamericana game, winning 2-1 to make it nine points in four matches. They are now second-placed in group B, trailing their next opponents by goal difference, which means La Academia need to win here to face the final matchweek as leaders. Last Saturday, Fernando Gago’s men lost on penalties to Boca Juniors and were knocked out of the Copa Liga Profesional in the semifinals. Racing are unbeaten in their last five competitive matches, winning two and drawing three since losing at Melgar FBC 3-1. At home, they haven’t lost any of the last 11, with eight victories and three draws.
Melgar FBC also want to win group B and advance to the round of 16: they beat River Plate (Uruguay) 2-1 away to stay as leaders on nine points and a draw could count a lot for them here. On Friday, coach Nestor Lorenzo fielded a rotated XI and his team still beat AD Tarma 3-0 at home to climb into the top of the Peruvian league table on 28 points in 13 matches. El Domino hold an impressive eight-match winning run in all competitions. Three of those took place on the road since Melgar lost to Deportivo Municipal 2-0 on April 10th.
Racing will try to get the win they need to almost secure a place in the next round, they must be angry after losing the semifinal last weekend and they should bounce back with a good win here.