Argentinos Jrs (Argentina) vs Fluminense (Brazil)
Argentinos Juniors have been displaced from the top of the Copa Libertadores’ group E table following their 3-2 away defeat at Independiente del Valle, finishing in second spot on 11 points (one behind their last rivals). Last Friday, El Bicho lost 3-2 to Estudiantes at home, ending up in tenth place of the Liga Profesional on 40 points in 27 games. That defeat stopped a five-match unbeaten streak of three victories and two draws in all competitions. In fact, they had been on six without defeat at home beforehand (winning four and drawing two).
Fluminense settled for a 1-1 home draw against Sporting Cristal in round six, which allowed them to secure the first spot of the group D table on ten points, leading River Plate by goal difference. On Saturday, the team won 1-0 at home against Red Bull Bragantino to climb into the Copa Libertadores’ zone in the Brasileirao table, sitting in fiffh spot on 28 points after 17 points. Fluminense lost only one of their last four matches in all competitions, winning two and drawing one. However, they are winless in their last eight on away turf, taking a single point from 24 on offer in that spell.
I rate Argentinos as a very good team but Fluminense could be too much for them. They are building a team to win this competition with stars like Paulo Ganso, Marcelo and Felipe Melo, and should take something from Buenos Aires.