The Copa Libertadores quarter-finals begin on Tuesday, with Colo-Colo welcoming River Plate to Estadio Monumental David Arellano for the opening leg of that tie.
A pair of one-goal victories in their round of 16 tie with Junior enabled the Chileans to advance 3-1 on aggregate, while La Banda had the same results versus Talleres Cordoba.
Match preview
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Entering the Libertadores knockout phase on a five-match winless run was not the ideal momentum Colo-Colo were hoping for in their first knockout stage appearance at this tournament since 2018.
Fortunately, Jorge Almiron's men came through with a pair of one-goal victories, including their first away triumph in the competition this year the last time out (2-1).
Colo-Colo are in fine form at home, winning seven consecutive matches across all competitions at Estadio Monumental David Arellano.
On Tuesday, they have an opportunity to win a quarter-final match in this competition for the first time since defeating Universidad Catolica 3-1 in 1997 and advancing into the next round 4-3 on aggregate.
They have not found the back of the net at this stage of the Libertadores this century, losing both of their quarter-final fixtures against Palmeiras in 2018.
On Tuesday, Eterno Campeon are in danger of suffering two successive competitive defeats for the first time since April of this year (three).
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In the last 16, the Argentines were pushed hard by a resolute defensive unit, but in the end, they maintained their unbeaten form at the Libertadores this year.
Marcelo Gallardo's men have won their last four matches at this tournament and are unbeaten across all competitions in their previous nine games.
This week, they will make their first quarter-final appearance at this tournament since 2021, while they have not made it beyond this stage since 2020 (semi-finals).
Three of their victories in the tournament this year were away from home, including a 1-0 triumph over Talleres Cordoba in the previous round.
To this point of the Copa Libertadores, River Plate have yet to lose when scoring the opening goal, dropping points in only one instance in that scenario (2-2 draw versus Nacional).
Los Millonarios have won their last four Libertadores fixtures versus Colo-Colo and are unbeaten at home against them in this competition, posting a 4-0 victory the last time out in 2022.
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Team News
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Do not expect to see Vicente Pizarro in the Colo-Colo squad by Tuesday, as the Chilean midfielder is dealing with a broken jaw, while Cesar Fuentes may be a few weeks away from making a full recovery after suffering a cruciate ligament tear in March.
Goals by Lucas Cepeda and Maximiliano Falcon were enough for Los Albos to advance into this stage of the Copa Libertadores last month.
On the River Plate side, Rodrigo Aliendro is dealing with a shoulder issue that will likely keep him sidelined until late October, and Pity Martinez is expected to return from a cruciate ligament tear in the middle of next month.
In their second-leg tie with Talleres Cordoba, Miguel Borja and Santiago Simon found the back of the net to ensure they advance beyond the last 16 after exiting at this stage of the competition in 2022 and 2023.
Colo-Colo possible starting lineup:
Cortes; Isla, Amor, Falcon, Wiemberg; Vidal, Pavez; Paiva, Palacios, Cepeda; Correa
River Plate possible starting lineup:
Armani; Bustos, Pezzella, P. Diaz, E. Diaz; Simon, Fernandez, Aliendro; Echeverri, Borja, Meza
We say: Colo-Colo 0-1 River Plate
River Plate have not been affected by opposing crowds so far, and we believe their patience and resolute defending will frustrate Colo-Colo.
The Chileans will be desperate to have an advantage heading to Argentina, which could create an opening for the visitors to strike and steal a victory.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
