Emelec vs Santa Fe
Copa Libertadores
Date: Thursday, 24 May 2018
Kick-Off at 01:45 UK / 02:45 CET
Venue: Estadio Banco del Pacifico, Guayaquil.
Emelec are looking to snatch a win by two or more goals on Wednesday evening when they host Santa Fe in the battle for the third-place finish in Group 4 of Copa Libertadores.
The hosts have had a dreadful campaign so far in the competition clinching just a single point in five group stage matches so far.
They thus sit at the very foot of the standings, but still with chance of making it to Copa Sudamericana given they are three points behind Santa Fe who beat them on goal difference by four goals ahead of the final day.
A win by two goals for El Bombillo would move teams lock on both points and goal difference, but the Ecuadorian outfit would be third in that case because they scored more goals.
Emelec vs Santa Fe: Head-to-head
The two sides met each other in the R16 in three years ago in Copa Sudamericana when Santa Fe advanced thanks to the away goal rule.
Emelec won the first leg in front of the home crowd 2-1, but Los Sabaleros were the more successful in the reverse fixture beating the Ecuadorian outfit 1-0 in Bogota.
This term’s clash from Estadio Nemesio Camacho El Campin saw a 1-1 draw (the only point won by Emelec so far in the competition).
Emelec vs Santa Fe: Prediction
The head coach Alfredo Arias failed to match last term’s successes with Emelec who went on to reach the last 16 round of Copa Libertadores (a narrow elimination on penalties against Argentine San Lorenzo) and lift the silverware in the domestic campaign.
They were nowhere near the knockout stage of the most elite continental competition this term, sitting just fourth after 14 rounds of the Primera A campaign.
Santa Fe had to play qualifications to reach the group phase where they proved out to be a tough nut to crack to all rivals including the likes of River Plate and Flamengo. The visitors drew each of four opening games before falling narrowly 0-1 at home to Los Millonarios in the previous match.
Agustin Julio fancies a defensive-minded style which is why Santa Fe are truly struggling for goals. The Colombians scored just once in last five games across competitions.
The visitors are going to park the bus here and keep it a low-scoring contest which is why the Under 2.5 goals FT is by far the best of betting options, set at 1.60 odds.
Emelec vs Santa Fe: Bet Tips
Under 2.5 goals FT @ 1.60
Correct Score 0-0 @ 6.00.
