Corinthians (Brazil) – Racing Club (Argentina)

SC Corinthians haven’t found any difficulties to reach the Copa Sudamericana semi-finals, beating Fortaleza EC 3-0 at home in the return leg to make it 5-0 on aggregate. However, they are facing trouble in the league, now occupying one of the relegation spots in the Brasileirao table on 32 points in 30 rounds despite having beaten Athletico Paranaense 5-2 at home last Thursday. On Sunday, O Timao drew 0-0 at home against CR Flamengo, being knocked out of the Copa de Brasil in the semi-finals. Overall, Ramon Diaz’s men won only one of their last five matches in all competitions, drawing two and losing two. At Arena Corinthians, the hosts’ remain unbeaten in the last seven (five wins and two stalemates).

Racing Club played enjoyable football to reverse the aggregate score against Athletico Paranaense, beating them 4-1 at home after losing 1-0 away in the first leg of the quarter-finals. On Saturday, La Academia beat Defensa y Justicia 4-3 as hosts to climb into fifth spot of the Liga Profesional table on 28 points in 18 matches and to stay fighting for one of the Copa Libertadores’ tickets via the aggregate table. Gustavo Costas’ men lost only one of their last four matches in all competitions, winning two and drawing one. However, Racing are now holding a disappointing four-game losing streak as the visiting side.

No Roger Martinez in attack, no problem for Racing last weekend where they scored 4 goals against Defensa y Justicia but also conceded 3 in another poor defensive performance (they’ve conceded goals in 9 of their last 10 games). Corinthians has scored in their last 8 including 5 last weekend in a high scoring win, so I have to expect an open game here between two teams in good attacking form.

BET: OVER 2.25 @ 1.97