Bolivar (Bolivia) vs Atletico Paranaense (Brazil)
Bolivar had a rough night in week six, when they succumbed to a terrible 4-0 away defeat to SE Palmeiras, being displaced to the second spot of the Copa Libertadores’ group E on 12 points. On Saturday, Benat San Jose’s men settled for a 1-1 away draw at Oriente Petrolero, holding onto fourth place of the Bolvian league table on 35 points in 20 matches, trailing leaders The Strongest by seven. In fact, Bolivar suffered a single loss across their last seven matches in all competitions, winning four and drawing two. At home, La Academia have been unbeaten in their last nine, with eight victories and one draw.
Meanwhile, Athletico Paranaense found it easy to secure the top spot in group G via a solid 3-0 home success over Peru’s Alianza Lima: they finished as leaders on 13 points, three above Atletico Mineiro. On Saturday, O Furacao settled for a 3-3 home stalemate against Cruzeiro EC, making it three games without defeat (two victories and one stalemate) to occupy seventh spot of the Brazilian league table on 27 points, trailing the last Copa Libertadores berth, occupied by Red Bull Bragantino, by one. Athletico won 2-0 at Vasco da Gama in their last road game to stop an eight-game winless streak of one draw and seven losses in regular time on away turf.
Bolivar are clear favorites here due to the big altitude of La Paz factor, but overall Paranaense are a much better team and should advance, so while they might find trouble here due to the less oxygen in the air, I think they will still try to play a very slow game with not many chances for either side.