Independiente Medellin (home)
- Independiente Medellin have 4 points from 3 games in 3rd place.
- Independiente Medellin won 1 and drew 1 of their last 2 home matches in the Copa Libertadores, conceding 0.50 goals per game.
- Flamengo RJ enter this game as the continental heavyweights and current title holders, facing the difficult task of taking 3 points away from Independiente Medellin, a team who have yet to lose at home in the Copa Libertadores (W1, D1).
- They are currently on an average run of 4 wins and 1 loss in their last 5 games in all competitions.
- Botero’s Medellin play a defensive, low-to-medium tempo style of play, where they set up a compact, narrow defensive block.
- They press selectively, not too hard, aiming to frustrate their opponents and then hit on the break.
- It’s a similar story when they have the ball, where they’re compact, pragmatic, and look to make use of the space behind the opposition’s defence in the counter attack.
Flamengo RJ (away)
- Flamengo RJ are unbeaten in their last 5 matches (W3, D2) and currently top Copa Libertadores, Group A (7pts from 3 games).
- Flamengo RJ won 1 and drew 1 of their 2 away matches in the Copa Libertadores, also conceding 0.50 goals per game on average.
- Flamengo’s boss Leonardo Jardim is a progressive coach who sets his teams up to be more dynamic, play at a higher tempo, and press their opponents.
- Flamengo press intensely, try to win the ball back quickly and move forward with pace and verticality.
- They’re certainly a more positive team, and they will try to build a head of steam and finish the game strong.
- Flamengo’s recent unbeaten run has been built on a combination of control, particularly in the midfield and the momentum of their vertical attacks.
- Pedro has been particularly on form, scoring 5 goals in Flamengo’s last 5 games.
- Samuel Dias Lino has also impressed, providing 4 assists in the same period as Flamengo have scored 11 goals.
Independiente Medellin
- Francisco Fydriszewski has scored 3 of Medellin’s last 4 goals in all competitions, and has been the danger man.
- Francisco Chaverra leads the way for Medellin in Copa Libertadores scoring with 1 goal, but his team will need to be more clinical in the final third against a defensively solid Flamengo side who are scoring goals on the road (1.50 per match).
- Alexis Serna has shown some creativity in his 3 games in the competition, providing 1 assist.
Flamengo RJ
- Bruno Henrique leads the scoring for his side in this tournament with 2 goals in 3 games, and has been a real threat.
- Pedro has been particularly on form, scoring 5 goals in Flamengo’s last 5 games.
- Samuel Dias Lino has also impressed, providing 4 assists in the same period as Flamengo have scored 11 goals.
Betting Insights
- Flamengo will be the favourites to take the win here at 2.11.
- Over 2.5 goals is priced at 2.33.
- Both Teams to Score - No is priced at 1.75.
Prediction
- This game will be fascinating from a tactical perspective, as Flamengo will look to push the pace, while Medellin will try to slow the game down.
- Flamengo will be looking to control the match, but they will have to be wary of Medellin’s press and Medellin's transition game on the counter.
- Flamengo will be the favourites to take the win here at 2.11 and I think they can continue their unbeaten run in Group A by claiming all 3 points in this tough away game.
