In the early hours of Friday, Estudiantes de La Plata and Fortaleza meet in the second leg of the last 16 of the Copa Libertadores. The tie is all to play for after a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the tie in Brazil.
Ricardo Zielinski’s team have made a poor start to the new top-flight campaign in Argentina, picking up just seven points from their opening six games. In fact, they head into this game on the back of three straight league defeats.
However, Estudiantes’ form in the continental competition has been far better than their recent domestic efforts. They have suffered just one defeat in their previous ten games in the Copa Libertadores, recording seven wins in the process.
A part of that stellar recent run in the Copa Libertadores has been their strong home form, as Estudiantes has won six of their last seven home matches in the competition. They have also conceded just once in their previous five home matches in the Copa Libertadores.
The visitors are experiencing a nightmare league campaign. Juan Vojvoda’s team are bottom of the 20-team Serie A table, having picked up a measly ten points from their opening 15 league outings.
However, in contrast to their recent league form, Fortaleza’s recent results in the Copa Libertadores have been solid. The visitors are currently unbeaten in five matches in the competition, having recorded three wins and two draws.
After losing their first-ever away game in the Copa Libertadores, Fortaleza has now claimed back-to-back away wins in the competition, winning at Alianza Lima and Colo Colo.
Forebet predicts that this game will end in a high-scoring draw, meaning a penalty shootout will decide the tie.