Independiente del Valle and Flamengo ready for Recopa Sudamericana first leg

Ind. del Valle vs Flamengo RJ - 22/02/2023

20/02/23 6950

In the early hours of Wednesday morning, Ecuadorian club Independiente del Valle host Brazilian side Flamengo in the first leg of the Recopa Sudamericana.

This clash brings together the reigning champions of the Copa Libertadores and the Copa Sudamericana – South America’s leading club competitions.

Flamengo won the Copa Libertadores last year, while Independiente del Valle clinched the Copa Sudamericana title. So, who will win the Recopa Sudamericana?

Independiente del Valle won the Copa Sudamericana for a second time in four seasons last year, equaling the record for the most titles won in the competition’s history.

After beating Lanus in the round of 16, the Ecuadorians dispatched Deportivo Tachira and Melgar before defeating Sao Paulo in the final.

Independiente del Valle’s last competitive game came earlier this month, when they claimed a 3-0 victory over Aucas to win the Ecuadorian Super Cup.

Having avoided defeat in each of their previous five competitive clashes – picking up four wins in the process – Independiente del Valle will fancy their chances of challenging Flamengo.

Funnily enough, Flamengo also claimed their second continental title triumph in four seasons last year – winning the Copa Libertadores.

After taking 16 points from a possible 18 during the group stage, the Brazilians saw off Deportes Tolima, Corinthians and Velez Sarsfield before beating Athletico Paranaense in the final.

That said, Flamengo ended up fifth in the 2022 Serie A standings – recording 18 wins, eight draws and 12 losses to finish 19 points shy of champions Palmeiras.

Following three straight wins in the Campeonato Carioca earlier this month, Flamengo head into the first leg of the Recopa Sudamericana in strong form.

Head-to-head: Flamengo triumphed over Independiente del Valle in the 2020 Recopa Sudamericana, claiming a 5-2 aggregate win on that occasion.

The teams also met during the 2020 Copa Libertadores, with Independiente del Valle winning 5-0 on home soil and Flamengo winning the reverse fixture 4-0.

Team news: Junior Sornoza is Independiente del Valle’s danger man, as the attacking midfielder bagged 15 goals and 11 assists in all competitions last season.

With Bruno Henrique injured for Flamengo, Pedro (10 goals, 2 assists) and Gabriel Barbosa (9 goals, 1 assist) will be required to maintain their impressive starts to the campaign.

Given the high-scoring nature of this fixture in recent years, the first leg looks destined to be an eventful encounter with plenty of action.

Forebet predicts that Independiente del Valle and Flamengo will play out a high-scoring draw, with both teams netting over 1.5 goals.

Home team
Away team

Probability %

1X2

Pred

Correct score

Avg. goals

Weather conditions

Coef.

Score

Live
coef.

RSU

Ind. del Valle Flamengo RJ 22/02/2023 01:30

344323

X2-2

2 - 2

2.92

14°

3.20

3.00 3.20 2.25 no no no

FT

1 - 0(0 - 0)

-

- - -