La Equidad vs Atletico Mineiro Predictions

Wednesday’s Copa Sudamericana quarter final, second leg action sees Colombians La Equidad doing battle with Brazilians Atletico Mineiro at the Estadio Nemesio Camacho El Campín. It’s the visitors who arrive in the driving seat after a 2-1 win in last week’s first leg.

Hosts La Equidad can consider themselves very lucky to have escaped Belo Horizonte just a goal down and still in with a small chance of advancing. The Colombians stole an early goal from the spot and then spent the entire game on the backfoot, coming under huge pressure, surviving a missed penalty and numerous waves of Atletico pressure to eventually only lose 2-1.

La Equidad came into this tie as huge underdogs and though they’ve done well to reach this point of the competition, they’ve only had to play Independiente FBC, Deportvio Santani and Royal Pari and they now look likely to crash out. Indeed, whilst some may be giving them a chance against Atletico on home soil, it’s very hard to see them turning things around, given they are in terrible form and haven’t won any of their last 6 matches, losing 5 times in the process.

Meanwhile, Atletico will arrive disappointed not to have put the tie to bed on home soil but are fully focused on completing the job in the Colombian capital. Galo more than demonstrated in last week’s game they are by far the stronger of the two sides and if they can establish said superiority over La Equidad again on Wednesday, they’ll have no issues in booking a place in the semi-finals.

Having lost just 2 of their last 11 games, winning 7 times in the process, Atletico arrive in more than decent shape and look well placed to see through their lead. They’ve already seen off strong opponents in Union La Calera and Botafogo to reach this point of the competition and if they can get over the line in this tie, they’d surely fancy their chances of going on to claim the crown.

Ultimately, although the high altitude present is a slight advantage in La Equidad’s favour, Atletico still have to be fancied to win the match and tie. Man for man, the two sides simply do not compare and the visitors are by far a stronger outfit than the hosts and have resources La Equidad could only dream of.

All things considered, backing Atletico to win looks the best way to play as far as the betting is concerned and provides good value at current odds. Atletico have kept a clean sheet in 2 of their last 3 away games and their defensive solidarity could well provide the foundation for a 1-0 margin of victory on the night.