Independiente del Valle (Ecuador) vs Deportivo Pereira (Colombia)
Independiente del Valle showed a disappointing performance on their visit to Deportivo Pereira last Wednesday and succumbed to an unexpected 1-0 away defeat, which means they need to win at home in order to keep their hope alive. To make matters worse, the Ecuadorian defending league champions also lost 1-0 away at Mushuc Runa in the second stage’s opener. Martin Anselmi’s men are on three defeats across their last four competitive matches (winning only once), but they also claimed three victories in their last four as the hosting side, along with a single defeat.
Meanwhile, Deportivo Pereira continue to live a dream in their Copa Libertadores’ debut. Last week, they secured a massive 1-0 home victory over Independiente del Valle thanks to a strike from Danilo Santa Cruz in the 58th minute. On a sorry note, El Matecana drew 1-1 at home against Boyaca Chico last Saturday to make it just two points in four rounds in the Colombian Torneo Finalizacion. However, Pereira succumbed to a single defeat in their last five matches in all competitions, winning two and drawing two. On away turf, they claimed a single success in the last nine, alongside three stalemates and five losses.
Independiente del Valle had a poor game last week but I expect them to bounce back at home where they are usually stronger and advance to the next round.