Audax Italiano (Chile) vs Newell’s (Argentina)
Audax Italiano made it to the Copa Sudamericana group stage thanks to their 3-2 home success over Universidad Catolica in the previous phase. However, that was their only victory across the last eight games in all competitions (along with three draws and four defeats): Manuel Fernandez’s men are occupying 15th spot in the Chilean league with just seven points in nine matches (into the relegation zone) following their 0-0 away draw at Union La Calera in their last match (on March 18th). Audax do it better as the hosting side, having lost only one of the last seven, winning three and drawing three. They play their continental home matches at O’Higgins.
Newell’s Old Boys ended up in eighth spot in the Argentine league last season and will try to repeat their best campaign in the Copa Sudamericana (reaching the quarter-finals in 2010). On Friday, La Lepra showed a poor version and succumbed to a 3-0 away defeat at Estudiantes, but they are performing well this term. In fact, that loss stopped a three-game unbeaten streak of two wins and one draw. Gabriel Heinze’s men accumulated 14 points in nine matches in the Liga Profesional so far. On a sorry note, Newell’s are without a win in their last six on the road, drawing three and losing three since beating CA Central Cordoba 3-0 in October.
Audax has scored and conceded in 7 of their last 8 games including a 3-2 win in the qualifying stage of this tournament, so I expect goals here as well against this Newell’s that struggled in defense last weekend but is strong in attack.