Matches This Week – 03/24-08 – Full TV Coverage

By: Mauro | March 24th, 2008

MATCHES THIS WEEK
Fox Sports Español and the footy Gods have graced us with un-interrupted coverage of all nine Copa Libertadores matches this week. This week features a few good matches and at least one stinker. Here’s my guide to the week’s matches as well as match start times.

TUESDAY:

Group 1 – 3pm PST on FSE
San Lorenzo vs. Potosi rounds out the 4th match of Group 1. San Lorenzo are coming off a huge win at Potosi, coming back from a two goal deficit to win the match 3-2 and haven’t lost in the Clausura since 2/24 at River. Potosi on the other hand have not gained a single point thus far, but should they gain a point at San Lorenzo, their last two matches are at home in the high altitude where they can make something happen. Bottom line: Potosi have no business in this competition and will say goodbye to this tournament tonight. My pick, San Lorenzo take this one, 3-1.

Group 3 – 5pm PST on FSE
Maracaibo host Atlas. Maracaibo held mighty Boca to a 1-1 draw in this stadium. Bottom line: Atlas should get all three points at Maracaibo. Period. No excuses. My pick, 2-0 to Atlas. Away win.

Group 4 – 7:30pm PST on FSE
Bolognesi home to Cienciano. Cienciano scraped a 1-0 win over Bolognesi early this month and should be able to manage a draw rounding out Group 4 on four matches a piece. Bottom line: Cienciano should win this, if they do, they crowd the top of the group with Flamengo and Nacional. My pick, Cienciano win, 2-1. Away win.

WEDNESDAY:

Group 8 – 3pm PST on FSE
LDU Quito host Arsenal. To say that Arsenal have shown poor form is an understatement. I don’t expect much from them this time around either. Bottom line: LDU Quito get their 3rd win of the competition. My pick, LDU Quito win this one at home. 3-1.

Group 5 – 5pm PST on FSE
River Plate host U. Catolica. Ortega still out with a muscle strain and should not appear for my boys this week. Still, U. Catolica come to El Monumental looking for a win to keep their 2nd round hopes alive and a win gets them back into the race since their last two matches are at home. A point on Wednesday plenty for them. Bottom line: River should win this one but their late winner in Chile two weeks ago was an indicator that they had a tougher time with Catolica than they should have. Up in the air.
My pick, River win 2-1.

Group 5 – 7:30pm PST on FSE
U. San Martin host CF America. San Martin look to make a big splash by upsetting group leaders America in Lima. Bottom line: America should take this one but San Martin upset River Plate in this stadium and the traveling doesn’t help the away team. Up in the air. My pick, America manage a draw, 1-1.

THURSDAY:

Group 2 – 3pm PST on FSE
Danubio host Deportivo Cuenca. These two played to a 0-0 draw in Ecuador. This will not be a great match. I’m thinking it’s another 0-0 or 1-1 draw. Bottom line: Cuenca need this win against the group punching bag (Danubio), because it would give them the (temporary) lead of the group. My pick, this one smells like a draw. 1-1.

Group 3 – 5pm PST on FSE
Boca host Colo Colo. These two played last week and Colo Colo pounded them early and Boca could never recover. Colo Colo are in the middle of a row with the club board of directors over prize money awarded to the players, could that curb morale? Bottom line: Colo Colo took it last week, Boca should take it this week. Home rule stands, ’nuff said. My pick, 3-1 to Boca.

Group 6 – 7:30pm PST on FSE
Cúcuta host Chivas. Cúcuta stole a surprising win away to Chivas two weeks ago and my bet is that Chivas will want to show what they are made of this week. Bottom line: Chivas need this win, but they are away, and it’s twice as hard to win an away match (not impossible) than a home match. My pick, this is a draw. 1-1.

Can only watch one or two matches this week? Make it one of these.

River Plate vs. Universidad Catolica – Wed. 5pm PST on FSE
Similar styles of play, Chilean and Argentine football have always had a great rivalry but the Argentines seem to dominate. Should be a good match because the away team should come out, guns blazing.

Boca Juniors vs. Colo Colo – Thurs. 5pm PST on FSE
Again, similar reasons as the last match, nice match up in terms of footballing styles, Colo Colo’s coach Claudio “Bichi” Borghi plays his squad a touch more Argentine in style so it should be a good match up as well.

Cúcuta vs. Chivas – Thurs. 7:30pm PST on FSE
Cúcuta have scraped together some decent results. Chivas have something to prove and could make it happen Thursday. Should be a good one.

Enjoy.