Colon vs Atletico Mineiro Predictions

Friday’s Copa Sudamericana semi final, first leg clash sees Argentines Colon de Santa Fé doing battle with Brazilians Atlético Mineiro at the Estadio Brigadier General Estanislao López. The hosts will be looking to establish a lead to take with them to Belo Horizonte.

Not regarded as one of the favourites to win the Sudamericana at the start of the year, it’s fair to say Colon have done well to even reach this stage of the competition. Nonetheless, having already seen off Deportivo Municipal, River Plate (URU), Argentinos Juniors and Zulia, Los Sabaleros will be desperate to go one further and progress into the final.

If they are to do so, securing a result in Friday’s first leg is of massive importance, as they are highly unlikely to win the return fixture. Indeed, Colon are underdogs in this tie overall but will at least fancy their chances on home soil, with 4 wins from their last 5 home games and 3 wins from 4 at home in the Sudamericana this year leaving confidence high prior to kick off.

Meanwhile, ever since they dropped out of the Libertadores and into the Sudamericana, Atletico have been widely regarded as one of the favourites to win it. Galo are one of the biggest names in the competition and having seen off Union La Calera, Botafogo and La Equidad, they’ve thus far met all expectations in it.

Nonetheless, Atletico aren’t playing very well at the moment and come into this game under big pressure from their fans, who have recently been protesting against their own players. Indeed, the Brazilians have now lost 4 of their last 5 matches, conceding an average of 1.6 goals a game in the process and that has confidence pretty low prior to arrival on Argentine soil.

Ultimately, although Atletico have to be considered the favourites to win this tie over two legs, there’s a real feeling of vulnerability about them at the moment and Colon have every chance of causing an upset, particularly in this home leg.

With the hosts typically a powerful outfit with their own fans behind them, we see good value in backing a home win on Friday and at current prices, that’s exactly where our money is going. Colon are in far better shape than Atletico at the moment and though it’ll likely be a tight game with the visitors likely to play defensively, we feel the hosts can edge out a narrow 1-0 margin of victory.