Gremio v Palmeiras
I’m going with Palmeiras in this tie. The SP outlet is much better balanced than their Gaucho opponents and while Gremio have to worry about Athletico PR at the weekend Palmeiras don’t have a match. The two sides are evenly matched in attack. They each have talismans in Everton and Dudu and have supporting casts that can put the ball in the back of the net. Palmeiras’s defense however is vastly superior. The Verdão have conceded 10 league goals in 15 games while Gremio have concede double that.
LDU vs Boca Juniors
Boca are the clear favorites here and I’d be a fool not to pick them. LDU are surely underrated and hopefully will make the tie very interesting. Quito is 9,268 ft (2825 m) higher than BA so we could see a shock in the first leg if the elevation takes a big toll on the Boca team. Despite this advantage and coming 2nd in a tough group LDU should be beaten convincingly by Boca. Last year’s runner-up has more than enough firepower and a much more quality up and down their lineup. Oh and they also have the legend De Rossi. GG.
Flamengo vs Inter
This all Brazilian tie must be the most intriguing of this year’s Libertadores quarterfinals. Both teams have quality, depth, and sensational strikers. The two teams met in May when Inter won 2-1 however a lot has changed in Rio since then. For me the difference is momentum. Flamengo are coming off a big-time derby win last weekend when they smacked Vasco. The Rio giants can also draw on the comeback against Emelec in the R16 and wins against Gremio and Botafogo in the league. Inter has also racked up a couple victories however they’ve been less dazzling and less convincing. Flamengo have also scored almost twice as many goals as Inter in league play this year. However FLA have also been prone to yo-yoing already this season. Though they look set up to succeed in cup competitions, it wouldn’t surprise me if they shit the bed against Inter. Still going with the Rubo-negro.
River Plate vs Cerro Porteño
My heart is telling my Cerro Porteño. I want to believe that they could win. They’re a good side and I usually feel that I need one upset in each round of predictions. I just can’t see them getting past River Plate though. They’ll be emotionally exhausted from their Paraguayan super-classico this past weekend and to be honest their form’s not been great in their domestic league either. River Plate on the other hand just taught Argentine champs Racing a 6-1 lesson they’ll never forget. River have also beat Lanus 3-0 recently and can build off thrilling victories over Cruzeiro in R16 and Athletico PR in the Recopa. I’m sorry CCP but you’re toast.
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