Thursday's Copa Libertadores predictions including Sao Paulo vs. Barcelona SC

Fluminense vs. Cerro Porteno (Thursday, 11.00pm)

Fluminense can book a place in the last 16 of the Copa Libertadores and secure first place in Group A with a victory versus Cerro Porteno on Thursday at the Maracana.

The reigning champions claimed a 1-0 triumph over Colo-Colo last week, giving them eight points, three more than the Paraguayans, who are second following a 1-1 draw with Alianza Lima.

We say: Fluminense 2-0 Cerro Porteno

The Maracana can be an intimidating venue for visiting teams, and Fluminense have used that to their advantage throughout this tournament.

While the Paraguayans are more than capable of defending for long stretches, so are Fluzao, but the difference is that the Brazilians have more quality players who can create chances in transition.

Rosario vs. Caracas (Thursday, 11.00pm)

Needing a win to keep their slim knockout stage hopes alive, Caracas will pay a visit to Estadio Gigante de Arroyito on Thursday for a date with Rosario Central on matchday five in the Copa Libertadores group stage.

A 1-0 home defeat versus Atletico Mineiro dropped the Argentines down to third in Group G with four points, while La Rojos del Avila lost by that same score to Penarol and are dead last with just a single point.

We say: Rosario Central 2-0 Caracas

This is the second time in the last three seasons that Caracas have featured in the group stage of this tournament, yet they still look indecisive and intimidated by some of the bigger clubs from Brazil and Argentina.

While Rosario have not been all that clinical so far in this competition, they can expect to have plenty of chances against a side that have shown to be relatively passive so far.

Universitario vs. Botafogo (Thursday, 11.00pm)

Universitario and Botafogo return to action in the Copa Libertadores when they go head to head at the U Marathon Monumental Stadium on Thursday.

With just one point separating the two sides in Group D, we anticipate an action-packed contest as they both go all out in search of a potentially-vital victory in their quest for a place in the knockout stages.

We say: Universitario 2-1 Botafogo

Given the stakes of Thursday's game, we expect Universitario and Botafogo to take the game to each other in search of all three points. Universitario have been near-impenetrable on home turf and we see them coming away with a narrow victory.

Sao Paulo vs. Barcelona (Friday, 1.00am)

On Thursday night, the penultimate round of the Copa Libertadores group stage sees second-placed Sao Paulo host Ecuadorian outfit Barcelona SC at Estadio Cicero Pompeu de Toledo.

While qualification from Group B is assured for the Brazilian side, finishing in first place remains a possibility, and they hope to claim maximum points against the second-bottom visitors to put them in a promising position before the concluding round of matches.

We say: Sao Paulo 2-0 Barcelona SC

Despite Calleri's potential absence, Sao Paulo's momentum under new management and their keenness to potentially keep pace with Talleres at the top of Group B should see the hosts secure maximum points against a Barcelona side that have hitherto conceded two goals a game while averaging just a goal per game heading into matchday five.

San Lorenzo vs. Liverpool (Friday, 1.00am)

San Lorenzo and Liverpool lock horns at the Estadio Pedro Bidegain on Friday, with both sides needing a victory to boost their hopes of reaching the Copa Libertadores knockout stages.

A 2-0 home win against Independiente del Valle saw the Argentines leapfrog their Friday opponents into third place in Group F with four points, while the Uruguayans slumped to the bottom of the table after a 5-0 defeat to group leaders Palmeiras.

We say: San Lorenzo 1-0 Liverpool

This affair is setting up to be a close one as both sides are level on points and have struggled to find the net. However, home advantage could tip the scale for San Lorenzo here as Liverpool did not perform well in their only away game so far.