Deportes Pereira (Colombia) vs Independiente del Valle (Ecuador)
Deportivo Pereira continue to make history in the Copa Libertadores. A scoreless away draw at Chile’s Colo Colo in round six allowed them to hold onto second spot in group F (on eight points, two above their last rivals) and reach the round-of-16 in their first appearance in this competition. On Sunday, the side lost 2-0 away at Atletico Huila, which means El Matecana collected a single point in three rounds in the Colombian Torneo Finalizacion. Pereira won only one of their last six matches in all competitions, drawing two and losing three in that spell. They lost 2-0 to Deportivo Cali in their last home match to break a eight-game unbeaten streak of four triumphs and four stalemates as the hosting side.
Independiente del Valle secured a massive 3-2 home success over Argentinos Juniors, with Kevin Rodriguez netting the winner in stoppage time. That victory led them to the top spot of the group E table on 12 points. It also was their last official match, making it four victories in five games (along with one loss). In fact, Independiente lost only one of their last seven on away turf, winning five and drawing one. Speaking of the Ecuadorian league (now in a break), they won the first stage via a four-point advantage over El Nacional.
Independiente del Valle are definitely a step ahead of this poor and mediocre colombian team and they should advance without any problems.