Before the round – Copa Libertadores Qualification Finals (09/03/2022)

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The Copa Libertadores moves into the third stage of the qualifying rounds this week. Some of South America’s biggest football teams including Fluminense, America Mineiro, and Estudiantes will play in the third stage of qualifying with a chance to make the tournament proper on the line.

América Mineiro - Barcelona SC

American MG will host the first leg of the third stage qualifying tie of the Copa Libertadores versus Barcelona SC. The Brazilians reached the fixture thanks to a second stage qualifying win over Guarani 4-1 on aggregate. Barcelona SC Universitario de Deportes 3-0 over two legs to reach the third stage.

The home side go into the game having played 11 matches in all competitions and posting a record of 5W-2D-4L. America MG lost their first leg second stage match to Guarani but rescued the tie with a 3-2 win in the second leg. They are coming off of a home 1-0 loss to Villa Nova SC in the state tournament.

Barcelona SC of Ecuador are unbeaten in 2022. They have posted a record of 5W-2D-0L. The team won 3-1against Nueve de Octobre at the weekend to continue a great start to the campaign. These teams have not had any recent meetings.

• América Mineiro have won just 2 of their last 6 encounters in all leagues.
• Barcelona SC have won only 1 of their last 7 away Copa Libertadores matches.
• There have been under 2.5 goals in Barcelona SC's last 7 Copa Libertadores games.
• Barcelona SC have kept a clean sheet in their last 3 Copa Libertadores games.
• Prediction: Under 2.5 goals @ 1.62

Everton - Estudiantes La Plata

Chile’s Everton play host to Argentina’s Estudiantes in the first leg of the teams’ Copa Libertadores third stage tie. The home team is winless in three straight games in all competitions, while Estudiantes are unbeaten in their last three games.

Everton defeated Monagas SC in the second stage of qualifying thanks to an aggregate score of 3-1. They claimed a home 3-0 victory before losing on the road. Everton have a record of 2W-3D-2L in all competitions this season.

Estudiantes go into the match following a come from behind Copa Libertadores second stage win against Audax Italiano. After a 1-0 away loss in the first leg, Estudiantes won 2-0 at home in the second match. Estudiantes are coming off of a 1-1 draw with Velez Sarsfield in the Argentine league.

• Everton have achieved 3 victories in their last 6 matches.
• Estudiantes La Plata have conceded an average of 0.50 goals in their league games
• Everton have scored an average of 1.38 goals in their matches in all leagues this season.
• Estudiantes La Plata are undefeated in their most recent 3 games in all competitions
• Prediction: Estudiantes La Plata

Fluminense RJ - Olimpia Asuncion

Brazil’s Fluminese are on an 11-match winning streak in all competitions to start 2022. After a 4-1 aggregate win over Millonairos in the Copa Libertadores second stage, Big Flu host Paraguay’s Olimpia in the third stage.

Olimpia are undefeated in 2022 with a record of 5W-3D-0L. They have scored 16 goals across eight games while conceding seven times. These teams met during the 2013 Copa Libertadores with Olimpia progressing on aggregate 2-1.

Fluminense have conceded a mere three goals in 12 games this season in all competitions. Each of Fluminense’s last three matches in all competitions finished as a win to nil. Meanwhile, they have scored 20 times across 12 games.

• Fluminense RJ are on an unbeaten run of 7 games in their Copa Libertadores participation.
• Olimpia Asunción are conceding an average of 0.50 goals in their games (Copa Libertadores).
• Fluminense RJ have a good record of 11 undefeated games of their last 12 encounters in Copa Libertadores.
• On average, Fluminense RJ have allowed 0.50 goals in their most recent games in Copa Libertadores.
• Prediction: Under 2.5 goals @ 1.67

Univ Católica Quito - The Strongest

Universidad Catolica de Ecuador host Bolivia’s The Strongest in the third stage first leg. The Strongest go into the match on a three-match unbeaten run while Universidad are coming off of a weekend loss to LDU de Quito.

The Strongest suffered a 2-0 loss to Plaza Colonia in first leg of the second stage. They came back to win the tie courtesy of a 3-0 second leg win.

Universidad Catolica are coming off of a league loss to LDU de Quito 2-1. Universidad had a 1-0 lead at halftime but crumbled in the second period conceding twice. It was their first loss of the campaign. In the previous round of the Copa Libertadores, Universidad Catolica defeated Bolivar 3-1 on aggregate.

• Univ Católica Quito have conceded an average of 0.50 goals in their Copa Libertadores matches.
• The Strongest have lost by 2 or more goals in their last 4 away league games.
• The Strongest have failed to score in their last 4 away matches in Copa Libertadores.
• We have witnessed 3 consecutive away defeats in both half time and full time in Copa Libertadores for The Strongest.
• Prediction: Univ Católica Quito @ 1.57