Lanus vs Defensa y Justicia
Lanus return to the Copa Sudamericana final after being champions in 2013 thanks to their 3-0 home success over Velez Sarsfield to make it 4-0 on aggregate in a tie that became easier than expected. That was their last competitive game as the team had closed their campaign in the Copa Liga Profesional with a 2-0 home win over Rosario Central a few days ago. Overall, El Granate suffered a single defeat in their last nine competitive matches, winning five and drawing three. They took ten points from the last 12 on offer in all competitions and 13 from the last 15 regarding this tournament.
Meanwhile, Defensa y Justicia will play their first continental final following a 4-2 home victory over Chilean side Coquimbo Unido last Saturday (after a 0-0 draw away in Paraguay). That victory stopped a three-game winless run of two draws and one defeat in all competitions, but El Halcon are as confident as their opponents lately: Defensa lost only one of their last ten games (at Rosario Central 3-0), having claimed six victories and three stalemates in that stretch. They also remain unbeaten in this competition, with five wins and three draws.
Two good offensive teams meet in a one match final in neutral ground, a goal will definitely open things up so I’m going with the over.