Melgar (Peru) vs Independiente del Valle (Ecuador)
Melgar FBC have a mountain to climb if they want to reach their first continental final in history following their 3-0 away defeat to Independiente del Valle at LDU Quito last Wednesday. The side had their away game at Cesar Vallejo last weekend postponed. The aforementioned defeat in the first leg stopped their seven-match unbeaten streak of five victories and two draws in regular time. In fact, they are three points behind leaders in the Peruvian league table, even with three games in hand. At home, Melgar are on five matches unbeaten, having won four and drawn one.
Independiente del Valle are close to securing their ticket to the Copa Sudamericana final thanks to their 3-0 home success over Melgar FBC last week. However, they lost 2-1 away at Deportivo Cuenca last Saturday to make it two defeats across the last three games in all competitions. Martin Anselmi’s men remain third-placed in the Ecuadorian league table on 16 points in nine games, five behind leaders Aucas. Their loss at Cuenca broke a five-game winning streak on the road.
I expect another open game as Melgar has no choice but to try to get a big win and they could get hurt on counterattacks by this dangerous ecuadorian team.