Sao Paulo (Brazil) – Talleres (Argentina)

Sao Paulo showed a disappointing performance in their last Copa Libertadores’ commitment and had to settle for a scoreless home stalemate against Barcelona SC from Ecuador. Therefore, they remain second-placed in group B on ten points, trailing Talleres by three. Already qualified for the round-of-16, O Tricolor will win the group in the event of winning here. On Thursday, Luis Zubeldia’s men beat fourth-tier club Aguia de Maraba 2-0 at home to advance to the Copa do Brasil round-of-16 via a 5-1 aggregate. With the Brasileirao now stopped, the side are sitting in fifth spot on ten points after six rounds. Sao Paulo are unbeaten in their last nine competitive matches, winning seven and drawing two. At home, they haven’t lost any of the last four (two victories and two draws).

Meanwhile, Talleres secured a massive 1-0 home success over Chile’s CD Cobresal thanks to a goal from Federico Girotti in the 82nd minute. La T are almost perfect in the Copa Libertadores so far, accumulating 13 points in group and having already secured a ticket for the round-of-16. On Saturday, Walter Ribonetto’s men drew 0-0 away at Boca Juniors to make it seven points in Liga Profesional action, which allows them to be one of the six table toppers. Talleres are on 17 matches unbeaten in all competitions, winning ten and drawing seven. Eight of those took place on the road, with three successes and five stalemates.

Both are already through to the next round but the 1st place and home advantage in the next round are in play here. Sao Paulo must win to get it, any other result will give Talleres that 1st place. The brazilians have been extremely strong at home lately but Talleres is one of the best teams in the argentinean league now, so I expect the hosts to take risks and go for the win as a draw is useless for them, and this should give us an open game with goals.

BET: OVER 2.25 @ 1.87