Copa Libertadores Tips: Seven selections as hosts should dominate in week two

• Internacional expected to win on home soil

• Fluminense can continue to catch the eye

• Barcelona and Palmeiras to get back on track

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Bank on a Brazilian win

Internacional v Metropolitanos
Tuesday 18th, 23:00

Two last minute goals impacted both teams very differently in round one, as Internacional rescued a point whereas Metropolitanos lost deep into added time.

However, Internacional faced a tough trip to Colombia and were unfortunate to not get the three points, and back on home soil they are very much expected to dominate.

Metropolitanos are the rank outsiders for the Libertadores at 501.0500/1, and their best chance of securing a point has now passed them. A trip to Brazil against last year's Serie A third place side will only emphasise the gulf between both clubs.

Internacional's Alan Patrick, who scored the late equaliser last round, has now netted six in seven appearances, and the attacking midfielder will be a danger to Metropolitanos' defence in behind the striker.

Their free-flowing football will make it difficult for Metropolitanos to get on the ball and I'm expecting large periods of play will see the Venezuelans penned in their own half.

With that in mind, this should be a comprehensive victory for the home side, and I'm recommending Internacional to be leading at HT and both teams to score no at 2.021/1 with a one-point stake.

Fluminense to bury Bolivians

Fluminense v The Strongest
Tuesday 18th, 23:00

Fluminense are very much my dark horses to win the Libertadores who should be an awful lot shorter than their current 15.014/1 price. I wouldn't put anyone off backing them to lift the trophy at 14s, but there's another good price after a successful 1.804/5 tip in the opening round.

The Brazilian club have the best striker in the competition in German Cano.

The 35-year-old has scored 18 goals in 10 appearances in 2023, and last year's 2022 Serie A top goalscorer netted a brace against Sporting Cristal in a convincing 3-1 victory.

Back on home soil, Fluminense and German Cano have a great opportunity to make it two wins from two when Bolivia's The Strongest arrive in town. Having caused a minor shock beating River Plate 3-1 themselves, they'll no doubt be in a positive spirit.

However, away from La Paz and the city's extreme altitude, The Strongest will be stretched and pulled all over the place against a fluid Fluminense side.

With former Real Madrid player Marcelo having scored his first goal for the club since re-signing against Flamengo, expect to see the Brazilian in an attacking position, rather than focusing on his defensive duties.

Fluminense will want to keep up their winning momentum in order to top the group, and German Cano will be relishing the opportunity to carry on his ridiculous goalscoring form.

Back Fluminense to be leading at half time and a goal in each half at 1.814/5 with a two-point stake.

Ecuadorians to edge out opponents

Independiente v Liverpool
Wednesday 19th, 03:00

Sticking with the theme of home teams dominating at half-time, we head to Ecuador where the Sudamericana champions face one of the tournament rank outsiders.

Independiente were unfortunate to lose 1-0 away to Argentinos Jrs in their opening match, but a home tie against Group E's whipping boys. Having won their last five home matches, conceding just once, Liverpool are very much up against it in Quito.

Liverpool lost 3-0 to Corinthians and that might be a common theme throughout their remaining matches.

With only two foreigners in their squad, Liverpool aren't capable of competing in a very tough group. IDV also have two strikers in Michael Hoyos and Lautaro Diaz capable of causing Liverpool's backline all kinds of issues.

This should be a routine win for the Ecuadorian club, but at skinny odds, it's worth taking a chance on IDV winning HT/FT at 1.834/5.

River to run riot

River Plate v Sporting Cristal
Thursday 20th, 01:00

River Plate suffered a 3-1 defeat to The Strongest in La Paz in their opening match, but a return to familiar surroundings will see them collect their first three points.

At Estadio Monumental, River have won their last four matches without conceding, as well as scoring 10 goals. Three, 3-0 results have helped put River top of the Argentine Primera Division and Martin Demichelis has enjoyed his overall start managing the club.

Lucas Beltran has stepped up to lead the line, scoring five league goals, while midfielders Esequiel Barco and Nacho Fernandez have contributed three each from midfield. With River sharing the goals around the team, Sporting Cristal are very much up against it on their travels.

The Peruvian club fought hard through the qualifiers but a reality check in their 3-1 defeat at home to Fluminense two weeks ago shows how difficult the competition will be for them.

On the road, Sporting Cristal struggle in the Libertadores, having lost seven of their nine matches, drawing the other two. They haven't won away since 2019, and they've only scored three goals in those nine games.

River are priced as short as 1.111/9, but there's value through the Bet Builder option. Combining River to be leading at half-time and a goal in each half is worth a one-point stake at 1.705/7.

Barca ball to prove effective

Barcelona v Bolivar
Thursday 20th, 03:00

Bolivar were the second Bolivian club to dominate in La Paz, having defeated 2021 and 2022 champions Palmeiras 3-1 in La Paz. A much-changed Brazilian side couldn't cope with the conditions, but similar to The Strongest, Bolivar will have a tough time in Ecuador.

That's because Barcelona have been nothing of ruthless at home domestically, and Bolivar will not enjoy their wide pitch.

The home side have won all three home matches in their league to date, scoring ten goals and conceding just one.

Club captain Damian Diaz has four goals to his name already after scoring a hat-trick against Cumbaya, showing despite being 36, he's still very much at the heart of this Barcelona team.

Striker Jonatan Bauman has been brought in from IDV and has four goals for Barcelona already, while it's just a matter of time before their new signing Francisco Fydriszewski starts banging in the goals.

Bolivar do not travel well away from their high-altitude surroundings. Four defeats from their last five matches, including shipping 13 goals doesn't bode well, especially as Barcelona like to play on the front foot at home.

This one looks like a comfortable home victory, and adding in over 1.5 match goals creates a good looking 1.705/7 bet which I'll throw 1.5 points at.

Previous champions to bounce back

Palmeiras v Cerro Porteno
Friday 21st, 01:00

Palmeiras thoroughly enjoyed themselves in this competition at home last year, where they enjoyed a 5-0 display over Cerro Porteno in the round of 16.

Despite losing Danilo and Gustavo Scarpa to Nottingham Forest, the Brazilian club still appear very well equipped to challenge for the Libertadores trophy.

With Raphael Veiga and Rony making their Brazilian national debuts last month, their two attacking stars should be able to slice through Cerro Porteno's defence.

Gabriel Menino has filled Danilo's position comfortably in the heart of the midfield, too, and has already scored six goals this season, something the now Nottingham Forest player struggled to add to this game when with Palmeiras.

Last year, Palmeiras scored 38 goals in the Libertadores and at home they were simply unstoppable.

Having lost to Bolivar last time out, the former champions will know they'll need to put on a display in front of their home fans to get back on track and it'll be a shock if they can't dominate from the first minute.

I'll keep this tip short and sweet and stick up Palmeiras to win and a first half goal at 1.654/6 with a one-point stake.