LDU Quito (Ecuador) vs Sao Paulo (Brazil)
LDU Quito won on penalties over Chilean side CD Nublense after a 3-2 home defeat in the return leg of the round-of-16 to continue seeking their second Copa Sudamericana crown. It was their only loss across the last 17 competitive matches, along with seven victories and nine draws, including a scoreless stalemate against El Nacional last Friday to make it five points in three rounds of the Ecuadorian league second stage. At home, Liga succumbed to a single loss across their last ten, winning five and drawing four.
Sao Paulo reversed the score against San Lorenzo through a 2-0 home victory in the return leg, with Jonathan Calleri and Luciano scoring, and reached the quarter-finals again. Last Saturday, O Tricolor drew 0-0 at home against league leaders Botafogo FR to make it four competitive matches without defeat (two victories and two stalemates) and occupy tenth spot of the Brasileirao table on 28 points. On a sorry note, Sao Paulo are on four away matches without a win, having taken a single point from 12 available in that time.
LDU are looking better with veteran striker Paolo Guerrero that joined the team a few weeks ago, and I expect them to win this 1st leg with the altitude factor on their favor as usual.