Nacional vs. Internacional (Wednesday, 11.00pm)
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Separated by just one point in the Copa Libertadores Group B standings, Uruguayan champions Nacional host Brazil's Internacional for Wednesday's penultimate round at Estadio Gran Parque Central.
Alvaro Gutierrez's men currently occupy third place in the section with seven points to their name, while their visitors are sitting pretty at the top and can confirm a spot in the knockout rounds with another maximum.
We say: Nacional 2-1 Internacional
Despite their satisfactory record against Nacional, Internacional's plethora of absentees will have their Uruguayan hosts licking their lips at the prospect of revenge, especially with Gutierrez's side on top form in front of their own fans.
Menezes's team have left a lot to be desired on the road too, so a shake-up in the standings should be in order this week, as Nacional take a giant step towards the knockout rounds while possibly dropping Internacional down to third spot with a hard-fought success.
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Argentinos Jrs vs. Liverpool (Wednesday, 11.00pm)
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In the penultimate round of Copa Libertadores group games, Argentinos Juniors entertain Uruguayan outfit Liverpool at Estadio Diego Armando Maradona on Wednesday night.
Unbeaten in the Libertadores this season, the hosts sit two points clear at the summit of the standings, while the visitors find themselves rock bottom of Group E.
We say: Argentinos Juniors 1-0 Liverpool
Having kept three clean sheets across their opening four group games – netting four goals in the process – Argentinos Juniors are expected to notch another low-scoring victory over Liverpool, whose struggles on the road look set to continue.
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Independiente vs. Corinthians (Wednesday, 11.00pm)
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Independiente del Valle could seal a spot in the knockout stages of the 2023 Copa Libertadores when they host Corinthians in Wednesday's Group E fixture at Estadio Banco Guayaquil.
The hosts occupy second place in the group with six points from their four games so far, while the visitors are down in third place following an unspectacular start.
We say: Independiente del Valle 2-0 Corinthians
A shot-shy Corinthians simply cannot buy a goal away from the comfort of their own stadium right now, and such frailties should no doubt be taken advantage of by Independiente, even with their first-choice goalkeeper missing.
The hosts can afford to focus all their efforts on the Copa Libertadores with nothing on the line in the league, and we can only envisage the Ecuadorian powerhouses strolling to the win that may or may not book them a spot in the knockout stages depending on results elsewhere.
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Aucas vs. Nublense (Thursday, 1.00am)
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Aucas will be out for revenge when Nublense visit the Etsadio Gonzalo Pozo Ripalda in the penultimate round of Copa Libertadores group games.
The Chilean club came from behind to secure a last-gasp victory over the Ecuadorian outfit in the reverse fixture, although both sides remain in the bottom two in Group A.
We say: Aucas 1-1 Nublense
Aucas will be hopeful of gaining revenge over Nublense when the Chilean club visit Ecuador, but the hosts may have to settle for a point as they aim to end a run of three straight losses.
Given that Nublense have suffered a solitary defeat in their last six outings across all competitions, we expect the Red Devils to frustrate El Idolo de Quito once again.
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Palmeiras vs. Barcelona (Thursday, 1.30am)
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Palmeiras play host to Barcelona SC on Wednesday evening knowing that a point will be enough to secure their progress to the next phase of the Copa Libertadores.
Meanwhile, their Group C opponents are aware that they need to prevail at Allianz Parque if they are not to solely turn their attention to trying to ensure that they drop down into the Copa Sudamericana.
We say: Palmeiras 3-1 Barcelona SC
Having lost convincingly in the reverse fixture, Barcelona are clear underdogs to get anything from this game. While we feel that their attacking approach could lead to a goal, it may only be a consolation with Palmeiras' superior quality expected to prove decisive.
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River Plate vs. Fluminense (Thursday, 1.30am)
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River Plate play host to Fluminense on Wednesday evening knowing that they require all three points to kick-start their Copa Libertadores campaign.
While the Argentine giants begin this fixture bottom of Group D, Fluminense are five points ahead in first place and on the brink of qualification for the next phase.
We say: River Plate 2-1 Fluminense
The manner of the defeat in the reverse fixture naturally left River Plate stunned and in a position where qualification is no longer deemed to be a foregone conclusion. However, they are a different side at home, and we feel that their battling qualities will lead to a potentially-decisive victory over the group leaders.
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The Strongest vs. Cristal (Thursday, 3.00am)
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Sporting Cristal will travel to face The Strongest on Thursday in what is a must-not-lose game match for the club if they wish to remain in the competition.
For the hosts, a victory has the potential of not only going one step closer to reaching the knockout stage, but it could see them move to the top of Group D in the Copa Libertadores.
We say: The Strongest 1-1 Sporting Cristal
This is a game that Sporting Cristal cannot afford to lose, and with that in mind, it is likely that they will push to try and make life difficult for their opponents.
The Strongest will certainly provide stern competition for the visitors, and seeing the share the points and leaving everything for the fin game of the competition could end up happening.
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Ben Knapton
