Newell’s (Argentina) vs Audax Italiano (Chile)
Newell’s Old Boys are the best team in the 2023 Copa Sudamericana following their 2-1 away success at Santos in Brazil to secure a direct ticket to the round of 16. La Lepra are the only side that won all five matches in this competition so far and, accumulating 15 points, are now leading group E by five over Audax Italiano. Last Friday, Gabriel Heinze’s men registered a 1-1 away draw at Huracan to occupy 11th place of the Liga Profesional table on 29 points, three behind the last continental spot. Newell’s are unbeaten in their last six competitive matches (three wins and three draws) and they also remain without defeat in six at home, winning four and drawing two.
Meanwhile, Audax Italiano clinched a ticket to the Copa Sudamericana playoff thanks to a massive 2-1 away victory at Bolivia’s Blooming thanks to a brace from Matias Sepulveda. They made it ten points in five matches, six above Brazilian side Santos. With the Chilean league going through an impasse after the first 15 rounds, Luca Marcogiuseppe’s men are sitting into tenth place of the respective rankings on 19. Last Thursday, Los Audinos beat second-tier side Deportes Rengo 2-1 at home to reach the Copa Chile round-of-16. Overall, Audax are on five wins in a row in all competitions, having lost only one of their last seven on the road (four victories and two draws).
Nothing to play for either team as they will finish 1st and 2nd no matter the result, so I expect the hosts to play for their fans and try to get a perfect groups stage for the 1st time in their history.