Thursday's Copa Sudamericana predictions including Cruzeiro vs. Boca Juniors

Belgrano vs. Athletico PR (Thursday, 11.00pm)

Needing a win to advance beyond the Copa Sudamericana round of 16 for the first time, Belgrano host Athletico Paranaense on Thursday at Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes in the second leg of that tie.

El Paranaense were able to erase an early deficit in the opening match between these two teams, claiming a 2-1 victory at Arena de Baixada.

We say: Belgrano 1-1 Athletico Paranaense (Athletico Paranaense advances 3-2 on aggregate)

Paranaense know how to handle the pressure of knockout games like this, and that experience should give them an edge in this decisive contest.

Ameliano vs. Libertad (Thursday, 11.00pm)

For the second time this week, Sportivo Ameliano will host Club Libertad at Estadio Defensores del Chaco, this time with a place in the Copa Sudamericana quarter-finals at stake.

We are all even heading into this decisive round of 16 encounter, with these teams playing to a 1-1 draw last Thursday at Estadio Tigo La Huerta.

We say: Sportivo Ameliano 0-0 Club Libertad (Sportivo Ameliano advance on penalties)

Libertad may be the more experienced side, but Sportivo showed they are worthy opponents last week, and we believe the home crowd's energy will help them maintain their nerve throughout this encounter.

Cruzeiro vs. Boca Juniors (Friday, 1.30am)

Cruzeiro hope to overturn their Copa Sudamericana round of 16 first-leg defeat when they host Boca Juniors in Wednesday night's reverse fixture at Estadio Governador Magalhaes Pinto.

The tie remains in the balance after last week's 1-0 outcome in Buenos Aires, and the Brazilian side hope to turn it around against a side that have been watertight of late in the competition.

We say: Cruzeiro 1-1 Boca Juniors (Boca Juniors advance 2-1 on aggregate)

Having come through their league fixture against San Lorenzo (3-2 win) unscathed despite resting several starters, a fresher Boca side should continue their unbeaten run by avoiding defeat in Belo Horizonte to progress to the competition's last eight at Cruzeiro's expense.