The Strongest secured a valuable point on their visit to Huachipato FC in Chile in week three, when drawing 0-0 in an uneventful game. Therefore, El Tigre climbed into second spot of the group C table on four points, leading Estudiantes by goal difference. A few days later, they lost on penalties to Universitario de Vinto after a 2-1 home defeat in the return leg of the Torneo Apertura semi-finals. That loss put an end to their five-match unbeaten streak of four victories and one draw in all competitions. The Strongest also had won their six previous matches as the hosting side.

Meanwhile, Estudiantes succumbed to an unexpected 1-0 home defeat to Gremio FBPA in their last Copa Libertadores commitment, a result that dropped them down to the third place in group C on three points, trailing their last opponents by goal difference. On the other hand, the team became Copa Liga Profesional champions last Sunday, when beating Velez Sarsfield on penalties following a 1-1 draw in a heated final in Santiago del Estero. Overall, El Pincha succumbed to a single defeat across their last nine competitive matches, winning five and drawing three in regular time. They also beat Lanus 2-1 in the last away game to stop a three-match winless streak of one draw and two losses as the visiting outfit.

Estudiantes were crowned champions in Argentina last Sunday so even if this is a very important game for them, I don’t know how focused they will be after a few days of celebrations. To make things worse, they will have to deal with the altitude of La Paz, where The Strongest has been always super strong including wins in the last 6 games, so I have to trust the hosts to take the win they also need.