Defensa y Justicia (Argentina) vs Independiente del Valle (Ecuador)
With striker Walter Bou netting a brace, Defensa y Justicia beat Copa Libertadores’ defending champions 4-3 away in a thrilling game in round five to qualify for the tournament’s round-of-16 for the first time in history after taking eight points as a product of two victories, two draws and a single defeat, which was enough to open a four-point gap over their next opponents. That victory also allowed El Halcon to break a four-match winless run of one draw and three defeats in all competitions. At home, Defensa lost the last two to Palmeiras and Union Santa Fe.
Independiente del Valle have run out of chances of advancing to the Copa Libertadores’ round-of-16 following their 3-2 away defeat at Universitario. Now they will fight against the Peruvian side (who are level with them on four points) for a ticket to proceed in the Copa Sudamericana knockout stage, which is available for the third-placed team in each group. On Saturday, the team recovered from that slump to beat Guayaquil City 3-0 at home and stay occupying the third spot in the Ecuadorian league table on 25 points after 12 rounds (four behind leaders Emelec. Independiente won four and lost two of their last six games, but succumbed to three defeats in the last four on the road, just beating Olmedo in the process.
Defensa has already secured the 2nd place and can’t get the first one, they will miss several players while the visitors will try to win to get the 3rd place and go to Copa Sudamericana.
BET: Independiente del Valle DNB @ 1.95