CD Universidad Catolica vs Gremio Prediction & Betting Tips - Copa Libertadores

Prediction published on 15/09/2020, 03:51  by Daniel Ngulu | Modified on 15/09/2020 at 03:57 in Copa Libertadores Predictions

After six months without action, the Copa Libertadores is back though with discontent amongst some participating teams. Among the matches scheduled as Match Day 3 takes center stage is Chilean side Universidad Catolica hosting Brazilian side Gremio. In the opening two rounds, Universidad lost both matches and thus remain bottom of Group E. Meanwhile, Gremio, on four points, are joint top with Internacional but have an inferior goal difference. Most of the leagues in South America have not restarted after stoppage in March due to coronavirus, and this caused an uproar after the announcement of Copa Libertadores fixtures. Some leagues claimed restarting the competition at this point in time gives active leagues the advantage. This complaint will however not come from the Chilean and Brazilian sides as both nations’ leagues are back on. Universidad have played four matches already after lockdown and they should be able to cope here. They resumed action with a 1-0 home loss to Union Espanola but the three matches that have come after that, all yielded wins for Universidad. In their most recent, they beat Audax Italiano 3-0, making it three straight matches that they have scored three or more. However, they have just one clean sheet in their four matches since resumption. Universidad’s three straight wins have seen them hold on top position in the Chilean top flight and they will want to use that as inspiration to not only get their first win in the continental competition but also try to launch a run towards their first ever Libertadores title.

They came close in 1993 but lost in the final to Sao Paulo and having won the last two home matches, they will have something to build on. Replicating that domestic form in the Libertadores has been the big issue for Universidad; they head to this game winless in the last five Copa Libertadores matches, having lost four. They have conceded two or more in four of their last five matches in the competition. At home, they have lost the last two Copa Libertadores matches but their last home win in this competition came against Gremio in April 2019, and they will be looking to repeat the feat. Gremio have not had as good a run in their domestic league as Universidad have had in Chile. In nine matches since the Brazilian league started, Gremio have managed just two wins, but they have only lost once. They jointly hold the most draws (six) in the Serie A at this point of the season and will be seeking a better outcome in this game. In their last five matches across all competitions, Gremio have managed one win, one clean sheet and two losses. They won their third Libertadores title in 2017 and will be looking to bring back the form that guided them to that title. The Brazilian side had clean sheets in their opening two matches in the Libertadores and though they have won just twice in the last six matches in the competition, they have a good away run, with four wins in the last five. They have scored two or more goals in four of their last five away matches in the competition and have three clean sheets in the process.