Gremio (Brazil) vs Santos (Brazil)

Gremio registered an easy 2-0 home win over Guarani to make it 4-0 on aggregate and reach the Copa Libertadores’ quarter finals for the fourth year in a row. On Sunday, the team thrashed Vasco da Gama 4-0 at home with a mixed XI to climb into fourth spot in the Brazilian league table on 40 points (with one game in hand), seven behind leaders Sao Paulo who also have one of their matches postponed. Gremio extended their unbeaten run to 16 matches in all competitions, having won 13 and drawn three. At home, they haven’t lost any of the last 14, with ten victories and four stalemates.

Meanwhile, Santos struggled to advance to this round following their 1-0 home defeat to LDU Quito: they had to take advantage of the away goals rule after winning 2-1 away in Ecuador (a victory that stopped a four-match winless run on away turf of one draw and three defeats). On Saturday, Cuca’s men drew 2-2 at home against Palmeiras, which dropped them down to eighth spot in the league table on 38 points, trailing Internacional (who occupy the last Copa Libertadores’ berth) by goal difference.

I think Gremio are tough to beat at the moment. They should win the first leg.

BET: Gremio -0.75 @ 1.88