Barcelona (Ecuador) – Fluminense (Brazil)
Barcelona SC had to settle for a 2-2 away draw at Fluminense after conceding the equaliser in stoppage time. However, they hold a big chance of advancing to the semifinal like in 2017. On Sunday, a rotated XI succumbed to a 1-0 away defeat at Orense, which displaced them from the top of the Ecuadorian league second stage table: El Idolo remain on nine points in four rounds, trailing leaders Independiente del Valle by three. That loss also broke a six-game unbeaten run of five victories and one draw in all competitions. Barcelona hold an impressive streak of 23 home matches without defeat, having won 18 and drawn five since losing to Flamengo in September 2020.
Fred’s strike in the 95th minute allowed Fluminense to avoid the defeat against Barcelona SC at home, but last Thursday’s 2-2 draw means they will need to score at least once to keep their hope alive. The team also lost to Internacional 4-2 away last Sunday, which means they remain on 17 points in the Brazilian league table, only two above the relegation zone. O Tricolor are on three games without a win in all competitions, drawing one and losing two. Furthermore, they lost the last four on away turf since beating Cerro Porteno 2-0 last month.
Barcelona got a very valuable draw at Brazil last week in a game they were just a couple of minutes away from winning, and they should finish the series getting a win to advance to the semifinals.
BET: Barcelona -0.25 @ 1.80
