Fluminense (Brazil) vs Argentinos Jrs (Argentina)
Fluminense took a massive point on their visit to Argentinos Juniors on away turf last Tuesday, when Samuel Xavier netted the equaliser in the 87th minute. As a result, the team will advance to the quarter-finals in the event of winning at home. On Saturday, they also beat SE Palmeiras 2-1 at home to make it three matches unbeaten in all competitions, winning two and drawing one in that time. In fact, they are now third-placed in the Brazilian league table on 31 points after 18 rounds, trailing leaders Botafogo by 12. Fluminense are without defeat in their last 20 as the hosting side, with 15 victories and five stalemates.
Argentinos Juniors fans will have felt devastated after their 1-1 home stalemate against Fluminense last week as they conceded with just three minutes to go with midfielder Leonardo Heredia playing as goalkeeper. With the Argentine league yet to start, El Bicho succumbed to a single defeat across their last seven matches in all competitions, winning three and drawing three in that time. On away turf, they have been unbeaten in their last three, with two victories and one stalemate.
Even if Argentinos was better in the 1st game they couldn’t get more than a draw at home, they won’t have their best striker Gabriel Avalos due to injury, so I expect them to struggle here in a much different environment.