Fluminense (Brazil) vs River (Argentina)
Nino’s goal in the first half allowed Fluminense to celebrate a valuable 1-0 home victory over The Strongest two weeks ago, which means the team are now group D leaders on six points. On a sorry note, O Tricolor couldn’t handle coach Fernando Diniz’s decision to rest most of his regulars last Saturday and they ended up losing 4-2 away from home. That defeat stopped an impressive seven-game winning streak in all competitions and dropped them down to sixth spot of the Brasileirao table on six points after three rounds (trailing leaders Botafogo by three. Fluminense also are on eight wins in a row at home.
Meanwhile, River Plate showed a great display of effort to beat Sporting Cristal 4-2 at home even playing with ten men for over 60 minutes. That victory gave them the first three points in Copa Libertadores action as they occupy third spot in group D (trailing The Strongest by goal difference). Last Friday, coach Martin Demichelis rotated his players and El Millonario drew 1-1 away at Atletico Tucuman, which allows them to stay as Liga Profesional leaders on 34 points, six over second-placed San Lorenzo. Overall, River are on six competitive matches unbeaten (five victories and one stalemate), taking seven points from nine on offer on the road in that time.
I expect an open game here with goals from these two teams that are early candidates to win this tournament.