Independiente Rivadavia and Fluminense meet in a crucial last-16 second-leg Copa Libertadores clash on Tuesday and, with the first leg ending goalless, it is all to play for with a quarter-final spot up for grabs.
Independiente won Group C after recording five victories and one draw in their six matches, progressing to the knockout stages as second seeds.
Fluminense were also drawn into Group C and finished second behind their hosts this week.
The Brazilian side had a record of two wins, two ties and two defeats from their six matches and went through as the bottom seed, ending with just eight points and a zero goal difference.
As a result of the knockout stage draw, this is the fourth meeting between the pair in a little over four months and Independiente are unbeaten against their Brazilian rivals.
The Argentinians won 2-1 in the first meeting of the season and the two subsequent matches have been 1-1 and 0-0 ties, including a goalless meeting between the pair last week in Brazil.
Home advantage and their superior record over Fluminense give Independiente Rivadavia the edge for this second-leg meeting and backing them to progress looks like the play in this tie.
Independiente Rivadavia vs. Fluminense betting picks and predictions
Independiente Rivadavia ML (+138)
Independiente Rivadavia have a strong case to make the most of home advantage to advance to the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals inside 90 minutes of this second leg clash.
The Argentinians are unbeaten in their three meetings with Fluminense, winning once and drawing twice, while they have also lost just three of their last 22 matches overall.
Their home record is just as impressive, with only one defeat in their last 11 matches and three consecutive victories heading into this decisive second leg.
Fluminense's away record is a major concern, with the Brazilian side winless in nine consecutive road games and just one victory in their last 13 away matches. With the tie level at 0-0, Independiente have home advantage and momentum on their side.
Fluminense also arrive with injury concerns, including Savarino, who did not travel, further strengthening the case for the hosts.
Fluminense 0 goals (+138)
Fluminense's struggles away from home make the Brazilian side difficult to trust in front of goal in Mendoza.
They are winless in their last nine away matches and have managed just one victory in their last 13 games on the road.
That record becomes particularly relevant against an Independiente Rivadavia side that has conceded just once in its last 10 home matches, while the hosts have scored in 13 consecutive games on their own turf.
The first leg finished 0-0 in Brazil, continuing a pattern of tight meetings between these sides, with two of their three encounters ending level.
Fluminense also head into the decisive match with attacking absences, as Savarino did not travel after suffering a calf problem, while Riquelme has also reported fitness issues.
Independiente's home defensive record and Fluminense's poor road scoring record make zero goals for the visitors an appealing price.
Alex Arce to score anytime (+200)
Alex Arce is the standout goalscorer angle in this matchup after producing an extraordinary record in the Copa Libertadores.
The Independiente Rivadavia striker has scored eight goals across his last five appearances in the competition, including two hat-tricks, and has already scored twice against Fluminense.
He is also in strong overall form, finding the net three times across his last five matches.
With Independiente playing at home and needing a victory to reach the quarterfinals, Arce should have plenty of responsibility in the final third.
His previous success against this opponent adds further confidence, while Fluminense's poor away record provides another reason to expect the hosts to create chances.
At +200, Arce offers attractive value given his recent Libertadores output and proven ability to punish Fluminense.
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Independiente Rivadavia vs Fluminense odds
Independiente Rivadavia | +138 |
Tie | +200 |
Fluminense | +210 |
Independiente Rivadavia vs Fluminense
Anytime goalscorer
Alex Arce (Independiente Rivadavia) | +200 |
Maximiliano Salas (Independiente Rivadavia) | +300 |
Matias Fernandez (Independiente Rivadavia) | +300 |
John Kennedy (Fluminense) | +300 |
Rodrigo Castillo (Fluminense) | +300 |
Hulk (Fluminense) | +375 |
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
