Universidad Catolica (Chile) vs Talleres (Argentina)
Universidad Catolica are out of the fight for a ticket to the Libertadores’ round of 16 following their 3-0 away defeat at group H leaders Flamengo last Tuesday. The side are now third-placed on four points and must win here to secure their spot in the Copa Sudamericana knockout stage. Last Saturday, Los Cruzados lost 3-2 away at Audax Italiano to continue producing a poor league campaign, with 16 points in 14 matches. Overall, Catolica suffered five losses across their last eight competitive games, winning one and drawing two. However, they hold a positive home record in 2022: five successes, two stalemates and two losses.
Meanwhile, Talleres are into the top 16 in the Copa Libertadores for the first time in history thanks to their hard-fought scoreless draw at Sporting Cristal last Tuesday. The team made it eight points and opened a four-point gap over their next opponents with one round to go. Despite having produced a poor league campaign, Pedro Caixinha’s men lost only one of their last five games in all competitions (winning two and drawing two). On a sorry note, Talleres are winless in their last nine away matches, registering two draws and seven defeats since beating Sarmiento 2-1 in December.
Nothing to play for Talleres here as they will finish in 2nd place of the group no matter the result, while Universidad Catolica must win to secure the 3rd place and go to Copa Sudamericana without paying attention at the other game, so I expect the hosts to get the 3 points they need.