Velez (Argentina) vs Universidad Catolica (Chile)
Velez Sarsfield played in perfect style last Tuesday, when they thrashed Deportivo Cali 5-1 away in Colombia (7-1 on aggregate). On Saturday, coach Mauricio Pellegrino had to contend with several absences and the team drew 0-0 away at Patronato, which prevented them from qualifying for the Fase Campeonato: El Fortin ended up in third spot of group 6 table on nine points, trailing second-placed Gimnasia LP by goal difference. Velez Sarsfield lost only one of the ten matches under their new boss, winning four and drawing five. At home, they lost to Gimnasia LP 1-0 in their last game, which stopped a four-match unbeaten run of two wins and two draws at Estadio Jose Amalfitani.
After winning 2-1 in Montevideo in the first leg, Universidad Catolica took advantage of the away goals rule to advance to the Copa Sudamericana’s quarter finals in spite of having lost 1-0 at home to River Plate Uruguay last Thursday. That loss stopped a two-match winning run for Ariel Holan’s men. Their league game away at Universidad Chile, originally scheduled for last Sunday, has been postponed. Therefore, the team are now level with Union La Calera on 45 points at the top of the league table (of course with that game in hand). On away turf, Universidad Catolica won two, drew one and lost two of their last five encounters.
I think Velez Sarsfield should stay strong at home.
BET: Velez -0.5 @ 1.90