Coquimbo Unido vs Defensa y Justicia
Coquimbo Unido arrived at their first continental semi-final in spite of having lost 1-0 at home to Junior from Colombia thanks to the away goals rule as they had won 2-1 in Barranquilla a week before. Their league game against Cobresal at home, originally scheduled for last Sunday, has been postponed as the ANFP prioritise the team’s international campaign. Coquimbo’s last league game was on December 27th, when they beat Huachipato 1-0 away. That success stopped a four-match losing run in all competitions and also allowed them to remain occupying the penultimate spot of the Chilean league table (which would lead them to be involved in a promotion/relegation playoff), now one point above bottom-placed Colo Colo. Coquimbo earned a single point in their last five competitive home matches. To make matters worse, they will host Defensa on Thursday at Estadio Nacional.
Meanwhile, Defensa y Justicia also are making history in the Copa Sudamericana. Thanks to their 1-0 home victory over EC Bahia, they made it 4-2 on aggregate to reach the semi-finals for the first time ever. Last Saturday, coach Hernan Crespo fielded an alternative XI which ended up losing 3-0 at Rosario Central. That defeat broke their six-game unbeaten streak of five victories and one draw in all competitions. El Halcon are third-placed in the losers stage group A, three behind their last opponents who are leaders. Defensa won two, drew one and lost two of the last five on the road, but they won the last three away games in the Copa Sudamericana.
Defensa y Justicia are confident when they travel and I think they should be able to take the first spot towards the final. Away win.