Estudiantes (Argentina) vs Goias (Brazil)
Estudiantes found it easier than expected in the return leg of the Copa Sudamericana playoff, beating Barcelona SC 4-0 at home to make it 5-2 on aggregate. Last Friday, the team also won 3-2 away at Argentinos Juniors, a massive victory that catapulted them to the fifth place of the Liga Profesional table on 45 points, now trailing the last Copa Libertadores’ berth (occupied by Lanus) just by goal difference. In fact, El Pincha are on four consecutive victories in all competitions. At home, Estudiantes haven’t lost any of their last 16 matches: it’s been ten wins and six draws.
Meanwhile, Goias EC kept the top spot of the Copa Sudamericana group G table on 12 points (two above Peru’s Universitario) thanks to a massive 2-1 away success at Colombia’s Independiente Santa Fe in round six, with Matheus Santos netting the winner in the 95th minute. However, it gets a bit harder in the league: O Esmeraldino drew 1-1 against Gremio at home last Sunday to remain into the last safe berth in the Brazilian league table on 16 points in 17 matches, only one above EC Bahia (currently getting relegated). Goias claimed a single victory across their last five competitive matches, drawing two and losing two, but they won three of the last five on the road (along with two defeats).
Estudiantes are very strong at home, Goias are a poor brazilian team that are lucky to be in this stage, and I expect the hosts to win this first leg.