Colon arrived to their first continental final after beating Brazilian giants Atletico Mineiro on penalties following a 2-1 away defeat. Meanwhile, the team are producing a poor campaign in the Superliga. Last Saturday, coach Pablo Lavallen fielded an alternative XI, who lost 2-0 at home to Atletico Tucuman. As a result, El Sabalero remain on 13 points in 12 weeks and are edging closer the relegation zone. Overall, Colon won a single game across the last five, losing three and drawing one (to lose on penalties afterwards against second-tier side Estudiantes Buenos Aires in the Copa Argentina).
Independiente del Valle are back in a continental final after finishing the Copa Libertadores 2016 as runners-up, losing to Atletico Nacional from Colombia. A month ago, they drew 2-2 at home with Brazil’s Corinthians to make it 4-2 on aggregate in the semi-finals. Last Saturday, they drew 0-0 at home with Delfin, which means Miguel Angel Ramirez’s men are fifth-placed in the Ecuadorian league table on 52 points in 30 games. Independiente del Valle are winless in their last three competitive games, earning a single point in that span.
This will be a hard-fought and even game between two similar squads in poor shape, but the totals line seems too low for a final where one goal should open everything so I’m going with the OVER.
BET: OVER 1.75Â @ 1.78