Fortaleza (Brazil) vs Estudiantes (Argentina)
Fortaleza EC continue to make history in their first appearance in the Copa Libertadores. Through a thrilling 4-3 away success at Colo Colo in Chile, the team climbed into second spot in group F on ten points to advance to this round. However, they are facing trouble in the league: last Saturday, O Leao lost 3-2 away at Atletico Mineiro and remain bottom in the Brasileirao table, five points behind Coritiba (who occupy the first safe spot regarding relegation). That defeat also stopped a two-game winning streak. At home, Fortaleza have been unbeaten in the last four, winning two and drawing two.
Meanwhile, Estudiantes finished at the top of the group A table on 13 points despite having lost to Velez Sarsfield 4-0 away in May (playing with an alternative XI). Last Saturday, the team lost 2-0 to Newell’s Old Boys at home, which represented their second consecutive defeat. As a result, El Pincha remain on seven points in the Liga Profesional, but continue sitting in fifth in the aggregate table, which could give them a ticket to the next Copa Libertadores. Estudiantes won two and lost three of their last five matches on the road in all competitions.
Even if Estudiantes has been struggling on some games lately, they should have enough to take something from the last placed team of the brazilian league.