Barcelona (Ecuador) – Estudiantes (Argentina)

Barcelona SC showed a big display of effort to come back from a 2-0 disadvantage and make it 2-2 against Cerro Porteno at home and hold onto third spot of the Copa Libertadores’ group C on four points, leading their last opponents by goal difference. As a result, they were transferred to this playoff. It was their last competitive game on June 30th as the Ecuadorian league is now on a break (El Idolo ended the first stage in fourth spot on 26 points in 15 games). Overall, Barcelona lost five of their last seven matches in all competitions, winning one and drawing one. At home, they are on three without a win (one stalemate and two defeats).

Meanwhile, Estudiantes haven’t found any difficulties to claim a solid 4-0 home success over Oriente Petrolero in the final round of the Copa Sudamericana group C. However, it was not enough to end the first stage as table toppers as El Pincha finished in second spot on 14 points, trailing leaders Bragantino by goal difference. Last Saturday, Eduardo Dominguez’s men settled for a scoreless home draw against Racing Club, which means they remain occupying sixth spot of the Liga Profesional table on 39 points after 24 rounds, trailing the last Copa Libertadores berth by two. Estudiantes lost only one of their last 22 matches in all competitions, winning 12 and drawing nine in that spell. On the road, they are on three without a win (two stalemates and one loss) and without even scoring.

Barcelona will be under interim coach Segundo Castillo after a very poor season for their standards, and won’t have playmaker and club legend Damian Diaz who is suspended, so I think this is a great opportunity for Estudiantes to take back home a good result before the 2nd leg.

BET: Estudiantes DNB @ 1.95