Jaguares Chiapas - Junior Barranquilla

Copa Libertadores

Jaguares Chiapas is one strange team. Last place in the standings in the Mexican league with one round to go, lost, only one win in their last 8 league matches, but still they managed to qualify from their Libertadores group, mainly because Emelec are idiots and couldn't win in Bolivia. Because Jaguares won all of their home matches, but lost all of their away ones, including a 1-2 loss in Bolivia, against second division team Jorge Wilstermann, a tea, which they've barely beaten in the first round, 2-0 following some late goals. So why are they such favorites against a strong Colombian team (that managed to win their group with Gremio), is beyong my comprehension. Junior is obviously the much better team (in fact, I see Jaguares as the poorest team to reach this stage), and indeed, playing away from home in Mexico can't be an easy job, no matter how poor Jaguares are. But, I expected the odds to be more balanced, maybe even with Junior set as small favorites, so in this case, I see some very nice value on the Colombians. +0.75 is close to a gift in my opinion, as it gives us a 'safe zone' even in case of an unexpected Mexican victory, but I honestly don't see this happening. Junior should win this match, but a draw won't be that bad either, so this handicap is a must-take. GL!

Junior (+0.75 AH) @ 1.75, 4/10

Result: 1-1, WON

Espoli - LDU Quito

Ecuador Serie A, Primera Etapa

Liga de Quito is passing through a great moment in both competitions where it is featuring. They won their group in Copa Libertadores, and after they're 1-0 mid-week win against Cuenca, they are also topping the tables in Serie A. Things couldn't get any better for them, but in the next 2 weeks, they will have to play the first knock-out round of Libertadores, and it's going to be a tough task for them, as they will face Velez Sarsfield, a team that is certainly no push-over. So their main focus goes to Libertadores, obviously, as there are still many rounds to play in the league. Therefore, a lot of first team-regulars will be rested tonight against Espoli, as the next 3 matches are dubbed to be far more important: the 2 matches against the Argentinians, and the Derby of Quito, against Deportivo. Espoli may be on the last place in the league, but in their last couple of matches they showed some signs of revival, drawing with El Nacional, before securing a surprise win away at Manta. Another interesting fact is that they are usually a tough nut for LDU to crack, and lately they have either lost by the minimum, either they haven't lost at all. Last match was played in Quito... LDU played with reserves and won 2-0, but only after a red card for Espoli, with the second goal scored in the 90th minute. Liga had a tough match then, and it surely won't be easy today either. Small stake though, as Espoli isn't at the bottom of the table for nothing. GL!

Espoli (+0.75 AH) @ 2.03, 3/10

Result: 0-0, WON