Newell’s (Argentina) vs Santos (Brazil)
Newell’s Old Boys showed their best version in week two, when they easily beat Blooming from Bolivia 3-0 at home. That victory allowed them to become the only group E leaders on six points. But it was their only victory across the last four matches in all competitions, drawing one and losing two. On Friday, the team deflated their performance and settled for a scoreless home draw against Argentinos Juniors, which placed them in 12th spot of the Liga Profesional table on 19 points. At home, Newell’s won five, drew two and lost only one in 2023.
Santos registered a disappointing scoreless home draw against Audax Italiano and are now second-placed in the Copa Sudamericana group E on four points, trailing Tuesday’s opponents by two. Last Saturday, the team claimed a hard-fought 3-2 home success over America Mineiro to make it four competitive matches unbeaten (two victories and two stalemates), also securing their first league win in 2023 to accumulate four points in the first three Brasileirao rounds. O Peixe won three and lost three of their last seven away matches, along with one draw.
I expect Newell’s to remain perfect in this competition against a Santos that will miss important attacking midfielder Yeferson Soteldo and that couldn’t beat the poor Audax Italiano at home in the last game.