Libertad vs. Fortaleza (Tuesday, 11.00pm)
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The Copa Sudamericana round of 16 begins on Tuesday, with Club Libertad hosting Fortaleza at the Estadio Tigo La Huerta.
The Paraguayan club seek an outcome that puts them in good stead for the reverse fixture in Brazil next week.
We say: Club Libertad 2-0 Fortaleza
Libertad's current form means they are backed to triumph against out-of-sorts Fortaleza, who could start August as they ended July — with a defeat.
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Emelec vs. Defensa (Wednesday, 1.00am)
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The round of 16 in the 2023 Copa Sudamericana will get underway this week, with Ecuadorian side Emelec playing host to Argentine representatives Defensa y Justicia at Estadio George Capwell in the first of two legs on Wednesday.
The hosts finished second with nine points in Group B, two points behind the group winners, while the visitors topped Group F with 15 points, and these sides will now battle for a spot in the quarter-finals against either Botafogo or Guarani.
We say: Emelec 1-2 Defensa y Justicia
While the hosts have made it to the knockout stages of this competition, they have been very poor for the majority of the season and are likely to find it much more difficult as they come up against the better teams in the competition.
The visitors have not been incredible themselves, but they have been scoring relatively freely in this competition and domestically, and we fancy that they will be able to outscore their opponents in this one.
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Corinthians vs. Newell's OB (Wednesday, 1.30am)
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Corinthians will be aiming to secure a positive result when they host Newell's Old Boys in the first leg of their Copa Sudamericana last-16 clash on Wednesday.
The Brazilians defeated Universitario in the previous round, while Newell's OB received a bye after comfortably topping Group E.
We say: Corinthians 2-1 Newell's Old Boys
Corinthians have turned a corner in recent weeks, winning six of their last seven matches in all competitions, and we can envisage them extending that excellent streak on Wednesday.
They will expect to visit Argentina for the return leg next week with a lead to protect, with Newell's OB hoping to rediscover their form from the group stage in this competition.
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Barney Corkhill
