Junior has run out of chances to advance to the Copa Libertadores’ round-of-16 following a 3-0 away defeat at Palmeiras in Brazil. It was the team’s fourth defeat in as many games in this competition and they don’t even cling onto any possibilities to participate in the Copa Sudamericana’s round-of-32. Last Sunday, El Tiburon drew 0-0 at home with Deportivo Pasto and reached eight games without a win in all competitions (six draws, two defeats), having failed to score in the last four. On the other hand, Junior hasn’t lost any of their last five home matches (but four of them ended in draws). They are on 29 points in the league table, sitting in third and having already qualified to the league playoffs.
San Lorenzo needs only one more point to secure their ticket to the next round, having beaten Melgar from Peru 2-0 at home on April 9th. Following that win, they remain as group F leaders on ten points. Last Friday, El Ciclon won on penalties after a 0-0 draw at arch-rivals Huracan to advance to the round-of-16 in the Superliga Cup. Overall, San Lorenzo is unbeaten in the last nine matches in all competitions, with four wins in regular time. However, the side claimed a single victory in their last 21 away matches (at Rosario Central 1-0 in March), registering 12 draws and eight losses in that span.
Both teams have been super low scoring lately with San Lorenzo not conceding a goal in 7 of their last 9 matches, and since a draw is a very good result for them and Junior has lacked a good attack in the last matches, I expect a tight and close game here.