Internacional vs Universidad Catolica Predictions

• Internacional are unbeaten in 18 Copa Libertadores home games, winning 14 times in the process.
• Internacional have won 5 of their last 6 home games
• Universidad Catolica haven’t won any of their last 10 Copa Libertadores away games.
• Universidad Catolica have lost 4 of their last 5 away games in the competition.

Inter looking to start with a win

Internacional impressively navigated two qualification round ties against Universidad de Chile and Deportes Tolima to reach the group stage proper, winning by 2-0 and 1-0 aggregate margins respectively. Colorado will now be hopeful of putting together a good run in the competition; making securing a good result in Tuesday’s group opener of real importance.

With Gremio also in the group, alongside Colombians America de Cali, finishing in the top 2 slots won’t be an easy task for Eduardo Coudet’s men but they are favourites to advance from it alongside their arch rivals. Unbeaten in 18 Copa Libertadores home games, of which they’ve won 14, Inter’s home strength is going to be crucial to their chances and has them confident going into Tuesday’s game.

Universidad Catolica looking to upset the odds

Meanwhile, Universidad Catolica avoided the stress of qualification with a direct passage into the group stage and will be looking to upset the odds and advanced into the knockout phase. Clear underdogs compared to Inter and Gremio, the Chileans will have to be at their very best to avoid crashing out at this stage of the competition, as they did last year.

As far as recent results go, Catolica are in excellent shape and new boss Ariel Holan had started life well at the club. Indeed, the visitors have won 5 of their opening 6 domestic league matches prior to this Libertadores clash but it remains to be seen whether or not they’ll be able to handle the jump up in quality on Tuesday.

Inter are clear favourites

Ultimately, Internacional have to be regarded as clear favourites to win this game and will know they cannot afford to drop points in it. Although Catolica arrive with momentum behind them, they are a weaker side than Inter on paper and haven’t won any of their last 10 Libertadores away games, losing 7 times in the process.

As such, a home win looks highly like and is something we’re more than happy to back with maximum confidence. Inter haven’t conceded once in 4 Libertadores outings so far this year and we think they’ll be able to continue that streak, with a 1-0 margin of home victory on the cards.