Flamengo (Brazil) vs Olimpia (Paraguay)
Flamengo haven’t found any difficulties to beat SD Aucas 4-0 at home in the group A final round, which allowed them to clinch a ticket to the round-of-16 via their second spot in the respective table on 11 points. Last Friday, O Rubro Negro also beat Atletico Mineiro 2-1 away from home to stay occupying second spot of the Brazilian league table on 31 points after 17 matches, trailing leaders Botafogo by 12. Jorge Sampaoli’s men have been unbeaten in their last ten competitive matches, winning seven and drawing three. At home, Flamengo claimed eight victories and two stalemates across the last ten.
Meanwhile, Olimpia also closed up their campaign in the group stage with an enjoyable performance: they beat Peru’s FBC Melgar 4-1 as the hosting side to stay as group H leaders on 14 points, four above Atletico Nacional. However, El Decano are now going through a worrying situation. Last Friday, the team drew 1-1 away at Sportivo Trinidense to stay on a single point after the first four rounds in the Paraguayan Torneo Clausura. In fact, they are winless in the last five competitive games, drawing two and losing three in regular time. On away turf, Olimpia lost only one of the last four, along with two victories and one draw.
Flamengo are without a doubt one of the candidates to win this competition and I expect them to win here, but this handicap is just too big in my opinion. Olimpia had a solid groups stage and even though they’ll probably lose here, they should be able to keep it tight.