Jason Collins
Dailysports's expert
Racing Club vs Corinthians – South American Cup Semifinal, Second Leg Preview.
Racing Club
The "Academia" is one of Argentina’s most respected and historic clubs, and they’re in a strong position to further their legacy. Racing Club had little trouble reaching the semifinals of the South American Cup, though they experienced a rare loss to Athletico PR in an away leg (0-1) before overpowering them 4-1 at home.
Domestically, Racing has been inconsistent. They recently fell to low-ranked Banfield 1-2, leaving them seventh in the Argentine league, trailing the leader by 10 points. The team appears to be focusing its resources on the South American Cup, where they have the chance to make a mark on the international stage.
Corinthians
The renowned Brazilian club is facing a turbulent season on multiple fronts. In the Brazilian league, Corinthians are perilously close to the relegation zone, sitting in 15th place, just a point above the drop line. However, recent improvement—7 points in their last three games—has lifted spirits and kept them out of immediate danger.
The South American Cup is Corinthians' main hope of salvaging an otherwise lackluster season, though their priority must also be to secure their league status. Balancing these priorities has proven challenging, and their road form has not inspired confidence.
Predicted Lineups
- Racing Club: Arias, Rojas, García, Di Cesare, Torres, Sosa, Salas, Almendra, Nardoni, Quintero, Martínez
- Corinthians: Souza, Fagner, Ramalho, de Menezes Junior, Matheus, Charles, Martínez, Carrillo, Garro, Depay, Yuri Alberto
Match Facts
- Racing has been dominant at home, losing only once in their last 14 games.
- Corinthians have struggled on the road, suffering five losses in their last seven away matches.
Current odds:
- Racing win: 1.99
- Draw: 3.3
- Corinthians win: 4.0
Head-to-Head
In the first leg, Corinthians were considered favorites at home but were held to a 2-2 draw, failing to capitalize fully on their advantage.
Prediction
Racing enters as slight favorites, thanks largely to their strong home form. Corinthians will need to be wary, as a final against Cruzeiro is at stake. Given the high stakes, expect a cautious match with fewer goals than in the first leg. A safe bet appears to be under 2.5 goals.
