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Wednesday's Copa Libertadores predictions including Corinthians vs. Liverpool

sportsmole.co.uk, 28 June 2023, 05:00
Nacional vs. Metropolitanos (Wednesday, 11.00pm)

Nacional play host to Metropolitanos in the Copa Libertadores on Wednesday evening looking for a victory that would secure their progress to the knockout stages.

However, this will represent Metropolitanos' last fixture in this year's competition having lost all five of their games in Group B.

We say: Nacional 2-1 Metropolitanos

On paper, this should be a win for Nacional, particularly with home advantage in their favour. However, the pressure on their shoulders combined by the extra freedom for the visitors may lead to no more than a narrow victory for the hosts.

Internacional vs. Medellin (Wednesday, 11.00pm)

First place, along with a spot in the last 16, will be at stake when Internacional host Independiente Medellin on Wednesday from Estadio Beira-Rio in the final group fixture for each side at the 2023 Copa Libertadores.

A 1-0 away victory versus Metropolitanos put the Colombians on top of the group with 10 points, one more than Colorado, who conceded late at Nacional the last time out in a 1-1 draw.

We say: Internacional 1-0 Independiente Medellin

The Brazilians should feel comfortable knowing that this match is on their home field, where they seem to show much more poise and precision.

As for Independiente Medellin, they have been too unpredictable lately, and the fact that their opponents have been in this position a couple of times recently and got the job done has us leaning towards the home team to claim all three points.

Racing vs. Nublense (Thursday, 1.30am)

Racing Club will be aiming to hold onto top spot in Group A of the Copa Libertadores by beating Nublense on Thursday.

The visitors, meanwhile, could still progress to the knockout stages with a win, but they would require a favour from Aucas against Flamengo.

We say: Racing Club 1-1 Nublense

With Racing likely to rest a few key players given their disappointing position in Argentina's Primera Division, we believe Nublense have a chance of pulling off an upset on Thursday.

However, they may fall just short of grabbing the win which they require in the end, although in truth even that would be unlikely to take them through to the knockout stages in any case.

Flamengo vs. Aucas (Thursday, 1.30am)

Flamengo will be looking to book their spot in the knockout stages of the Copa Libertadores when they host Ecuadorian side Aucas at Estadio Jornalista Mario Filho on Wednesday night.

The hosts have been in decent form domestically since their last match in this competition against Racing Club of Argentina, while Aucas ended a winless run last time out.

We say: Flamengo 2-0 Aucas

Flamengo showed considerable grit and determination to come out on top of a five-goal thriller on the weekend, meaning they should be confident of easing past their Ecuadorian opponents on Wednesday night.

Aucas will have an incentive to be aggressive considering a result could earn them a place in the Sudamericana, but we can envisage a fourth and final loss of the group stage for Farias's charges.

Corinthians vs. Liverpool (Thursday, 1.30am)

Corinthians and Liverpool will be fighting to remain in continental competition when they meet at Corinthians Arena on Thursday.

Both teams have already been eliminated from the Copa Libertadores, but which ever side finishes third in Group E will drop into the Copa Sudamericana.

We say: Corinthians 2-1 Liverpool

Although both teams will be keen to drop down to the Copa Sudamericana as opposed to crashing out of continental competition altogether, this should be a match played in the right spirit considering that both teams are already eliminated from the Copa Libertadores.

Corinthians were too strong for Liverpool on the opening matchday and, while we expect things to be much closer on Thursday, we expect the Brazilians to win once again to seal third place in Group E.

Independiente vs. Argentinos Jrs (Thursday, 1.30am)

Independiente del Valle and Argentinos Juniors will be fighting for top spot in Group E of the Copa Libertadores when they meet in Sangolqui on Thursday.

The two sides have already secured their qualification for the knockout stage with a game to spare.

We say: Independiente del Valle 1-0 Argentinos Juniors

With both teams already through to the knockout stages, we do not expect to see a particularly entertaining encounter on Thursday.

Independiente have been incredibly tough to beat on home soil in recent years and we believe they have enough about them to secure a tight victory and top spot in Group E as a result.

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