In the early hours of Monday, Independiente del Valle and Deportivo Pereira clash at the Estadio Olimpico Atahualpa in the last-16 of the Copa Libertadores. The first leg ended in a 1-0 win to Deportivo Pereira.
Independiente del Valle form guideThe Ecuadorian team are in woeful form of late, as they are winless in their last five matches in all competitions, having suffered four defeats in over 90 minutes and one penalty shootout loss. A lack of clean sheets has played a big role in their recent poor run of form, with Independiente failing to keep their opponents out in seven games.
Their recent record in the Copa Libertadores is also an inconsistent one, although they have won four of their last six games. However, Martin Anselmi’s team have been strong on home soil in the competition, as they are unbeaten in six games, having won their previous four home matches.</p> Deportivo Pereira form guide
The Colombian team heads to Ecuador on an inconsistent recent run of form, having won just two of their previous eight matches in all competitions. Their recent matches have been extremely low-scoring, with under 2.5 goals scored in their last nine games.
The visitor's record in the Copa Libertadores can best be described as inconsistent, as they have won just two of their previous seven games. The first leg followed a low-scoring trend for Deportivo in this competition, as their last four games have now all produced under 2.5 goals.
The visitors have failed to win any of their three away games in the Copa Libertadores, picking up just one draw and suffering two defeats. They have also scored just once in their three matches on their travels in the competition.
What am I backing?Independiente del Valle has been in good form on home soil in the Copa Libertadores of late, while Deportivo Pereira has struggled on their travels. With that in mind, I am backing the home victory.
