Emelec vs Atletico Mineiro Predictions

• B0th teams have scored in Atletico Mineiro’s last five Copa Libertadores matches.
• B0th teams have scored in two of Emelec’s three home Copa Libertad0res games this year.
• Emelec have scored in three of their last four Copa Libertadores games against Brazilian opposition.

Brazilians have depth to return with a result

Atletico Mineiro are going to be without several regulars for their Copa Libertadores last-16 trip to Ecuador to face Emelec, but the Brazilians should come away with a satisfactory result.

Antonio Mohamed is down on options in midfield, where Jair, Matias Zaracho and Neto are out, for Tuesday’s clash at George Capwell Stadium in Guayaquil. Rooster recovered well from a 2-0 home deficit to struggling Fortaleza in Serie A on Saturday to power home as 3-2 winners thanks to three goals in the last 15 minutes, demonstrating their depth while Hulk is reportedly back in contention for this one.

That win, their third in a week, should bolster confidence for this contest against a team coming back off a month’s break from competitive football. Emelec also lost key defender Aníbal Leguizamón to an injury after he completed training on Saturday in a late blow to coach Ismael Rescalvo.

Back both teams to bag in Ecuador

The Blue Ballet were hardly tripping the light fantastic in this competition until a 7-0 win over Bolivia’s Independiente saw them sneak into second place in Group A. There, they lost both matches to Palmeiras, although they did score in the 3-1 home reverse to the Serie A leaders.

Emelec also scored, and beat, Jorge Jesus’ all-conquering Flamengo side in the first-leg of their last-16 clash three years ago, so it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that they can cause a minor upset here. But, with Atletico’s last five games in this tournament seeing both teams on the scoresheet, that looks like an attractive option to us at just under even money.

A 1-1 draw would set the visitors up well to secure their path to the quarter-finals in the return game and with Emelec without a key defender it looks like a correct score play that’s worth consideration.

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