Sao Paulo (Brazil) – Racing Club (Argentina)
Even though they had already clinched their ticket to this round, Sao Paulo registered a comfortable 3-0 home success over Peruvian side Sporting Cristal in the Copa Libertadores’ week six to make it 11 points in group E, occupying second spot. On Saturday, the team managed an important 1-0 home victory over EC Bahia to make it two consecutive successes and 11 points in the Brazilian league table, opening a four-point gap over Sport Recife, who are occupying the first relegation spot. On a positive note, Hernan Crespo’s men lost only once across their last eight home matches, winning four and drawing three.
Racing Club ended the group stage as leaders in group E, having accumulated 14 points thanks to their 3-0 home victory over Uruguayan side CA Rentistas in matchweek six. Since then, they beat Boca Juniors on penalties and lost to Colon 3-0 in the Copa Liga Profesional’s final. That defeat also stopped a seven-game unbeaten streak in all competitions (four victories and three draws in regular time). On a positive note, La Academia are on three without defeat on away turf, having beaten Sao Paulo and Sporting Cristal and drawn to Velez Sarsfield (winning on penalties afterwards).
Sao Paulo are not in their best form and will have a few missings, but at home they have to be stronger than this Racing that will play their first competitive match in a very long time.
BET: Sao Paulo -0.75 @ 1.98