We are down to the last two games for each team in the group stage of the Copa Libertadores, and as surprising as it may seem, there could be some shocking absences in terms of the teams that could see the end of their performances in this competition.
Clubs from all over South America are fighting for the 32 spots that give access to the KO stage, and at this point, only Atlético Nacional have secured their place in the next round with their performance in Group H. The Colombian side could see up to five teams joining them in the next stage. Those teams are Racing, Bolívar, Palmeiras, Fluminense, and Argentinos Juniors, who have an edge over their rivals in each group.
On the other side, there are some teams that were considered favorites that are currently struggling to honor those predictions. Clubs such as Flamengo, Corinthians, Colo-Colo, and Atlético Mineiro are in second or third place in their groups, while others such as River Plate and Cerro Porteño are facing elimination right in the eye, which could make their fixtures this week key for their future.
Here's how the standings look like in each group prior to all the activity going on this week.
| Classmt. | Équipe | J | G | N | P | BP | BC | Diff | TB | Forme | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Groupe A | |||||||||||
| 1 | Fluminense | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 5 | NGN | |
| 2 | Colo-Colo | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | NPG | |
| 3 | Cerro Porteño | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | NGP | |
| 4 | Alianza Lima | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 2 | NPN | |
| Groupe B | |||||||||||
| 1 | Talleres Córdoba | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 3 | +3 | 7 | GNG | |
| 2 | São Paulo | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 6 | GGP | |
| 3 | Barcelona | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 5 | -2 | 2 | PNN | |
| 4 | Cobresal | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | -4 | 1 | PPN | |
| Groupe C | |||||||||||
| 1 | Huachipato | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 5 | NGN | |
| 2 | The Strongest | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 4 | NPG | |
| 3 | Estudiantes | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 4 | PGN | |
| 4 | Grêmio | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 3 | GPP | |
| Groupe D | |||||||||||
| 1 | Junior | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 5 | NNG | |
| 2 | LDU Quito | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 4 | NGP | |
| 3 | Universitario | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | -1 | 4 | PNG | |
| 4 | Botafogo | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 | -1 | 3 | GPP | |
| Groupe E | |||||||||||
| 1 | Bolívar | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 3 | +6 | 9 | GGG | |
| 2 | Flamengo | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 4 | PGN | |
| 3 | Palestino | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 7 | -4 | 3 | GPP | |
| 4 | Millonarios | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 7 | -3 | 1 | PPN | |
| Groupe F | |||||||||||
| 1 | Palmeiras | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 4 | +3 | 7 | GGN | |
| 2 | Independiente del Valle | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 | +1 | 4 | PGN | |
| 3 | Liverpool | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 4 | GPN | |
| 4 | San Lorenzo | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 1 | PPN | |
| Groupe G | |||||||||||
| 1 | Atlético Mineiro | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 4 | +5 | 9 | GGG | |
| 2 | Rosario Central | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 4 | NPG | |
| 3 | Peñarol | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 4 | +3 | 3 | PGP | |
| 4 | Caracas | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 10 | -8 | 1 | NPP | |
| Group H | |||||||||||
| 1 | River Plate | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | +5 | 9 | GGG | |
| 2 | Nacional | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 6 | GPG | |
| 3 | Libertad | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 3 | PGP | |
| 4 | Deportivo Táchira | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 7 | -6 | 0 | PPP | |
Now, here are the top games to keep an eye starting today.
Boca Juniors vs Colo-Colo: The clash between two former Copa Libertadores winners could end with one of them in serious jeopardy of missing out on the next round. As things stand, Boca have an edge over their Chilean rivals, and a win for them would be crucial to diminish the impact of Deportivo Pereira's match against Monagas, who are fourth in Group F. A loss for Colo-Colo would almost end their hopes to reach the next round, which will force the Chileans to fight for at least one point to reach the final matchday with options to make the KO stage. Click on the match for more broadcast info.
River Plate vs Fluminense: The Argentine side are fourth in their group due to some unexpected results, and with this being their final game at home, Los Millonarios need a win against the top team in the group and wait for developments in the other game. A loss or a draw for River Plate could almost end their KO stage hopes, but it will all depend on the outcome of the other tie in this group. Meanwhile, the team led by Marcelo and coach Fernando Diniz face a golden opportunity to get rid of one big title contender and clear their path to the next round, a spot they could reach if they earn one point at the Monumental. Please click on the match for broadcast and streaming details.
Flamengo vs Racing Club: The defending champions are currently second in Group A, and their chances of finishing first rely on winning both games and watching Racing lose both their group stage ties. By now, it seems that the best chance for Jorge Sampaoli's men will be to accept the runner-up spot and earn as many points as possible to prevent being leapfrogged by either Ñublense or Aucas, who are one and two points behind them. On the other hand, Racing only need one point to secure the top spot in this group, something that could very well happen if they keep their cool at Maracaná. Click on the game above for further match info and broadcast details.
Copa Libertadores - Broadcast info for all games in Week 5
