Defensa y Justicia (Argentina) – Independiente Medellin (Colombia)

Defensa y Justicia are facing trouble in the Copa Sudamericana at the moment. Last Tuesday, the team succumbed to a devastating 3-0 away defeat at Bolivia’s Always Ready, which places them in third spot in the group A table on four points, trailing second-placed Independiente Medellin by five (which means they need to win here in order to keep their hope alive). On Saturday, El Halcon also lost to Huracan 3-1 away in the Liga Profesional opener, making it four competitive matches without a win (one draw and three losses in regular time). However, Julio Vaccari’s men remain occupying one of the Copa Sudamericana spots in the aggregate table. On a positive note, Defensa remain unbeaten in their last four at home, winning three and drawing one.

Meanwhile, Independiente Medellin didn’t find any difficulties to beat Universidad Cesar Vallejo 5-1 away in Peru, a victory that allowed them to make it nine points in second place of the group A table, leading Defensa y Justicia (in third) by five, which means they will advance at least to the playoff in the event of avoiding the defeat here. El Poderoso de la Montana failed to qualify for the Colombian Torneo Apertura playoffs, ending in ninth spot of the table on 29 points in 19 games. However, they are unbeaten in their last eight competitive games, winning six and drawing two. Four of those took place on away turf, with three victories and one draw.

Defensa must win the last two games and still wait for other results to advance to the next stage, so they have no choice but to go for the 3 points here, but they will face this Independiente Medellin who has been one of the best attacking teams so I expect to see an open game here where both can score.

BET: OVER 2.25 @ 1.89