Stadium: Nemesio Diez

Referee: Manuel Andarcia (Venezuela)

First Leg: Cúcuta Deportivo 5 - 1 CD Toluca

CD Toluca (Mexico)

Last match was a disaster for the team, as in '15 minutes the team allowed four goals, which seems as a deatch sentece, but 90 minutes awaits, this after the expulsion of MF Carlos Morales, still with just one player less the team couldn't be allowed to play that bad. The "good" news for the team is they where able to score an away goal.

The team closes their group stage with two consecutive victories, one in home and one in away. The team has two consecutive victories in home in Libertadores Cup against Boca Juniors and Cienciano.

Needs to win by 4-0 to get trought next stage as away goal would be determinat. If the team allows a goal would need to score five to get to extra time and six to go directly to next stage. So Toluca is forced to be offensive, Americo "Tolo" Gallego works with a defensive system, still when pushed can be an offensive team and has more "goal" power than in local tournament. An expected lineup with in the offensive: MF Antonio Naelson "Sinha", MF Vicente Sanchez, FW Francisco Palencia and FW Ignacio Scocco, that would be focus on attacking.

Toluca have advantage in the height of the city, and for the moment of the match Cúcuta Deportivo would have only three days to adapt to height and the long trip. Remarks that their coach America "Tolo" Gallego after the first leg match established that it would be hard to stop Cúcuta offensive power.

In local tournament didn't have activity as the team is already eliminated from the tournament.

Suspended:

MF Carlos Morales

Cúcuta Deportivo (Colombia)

Last match was able to recover from an early goal against and showed a very powerful attack that take advantage of Toluca defensive mistake to be able to score four goals in '15 minutes, and close with another goal in the last part of the second half, highlights all Cúcuta goals came after the expulsion of Toluca MF Carlos Morales in the first half. To finish 5-1 that seems that the serie is almost decide, but 90 minutes await.

The team make a great first leg match getting an advantage of four goals, which represents that in this match the team can lost even 3-0 and would get directly trough next stage. The coach of the team Jorge Luis Bernal said that the team will play as if they had just one goal of advantage.

In local tournament the team fall 2-1 to Deportivo Cali, which sends the team to second place, as precisely Deportivo Cali with the victory claim it and obtain an advantage of three points. Cúcuta played with an alternative team to reserve the key players for the match against Toluca.

With this Cúcuta has their third consecutive defeat and lost an advantage of four points in that period. Still their good performance in Libertadores Cup shadow this negative streak. Which is the complete contrast as there the team has three consecutive victories, two in home and one in away.

The team is expected to defend their advantage. The team would field a defensive team, still for sure will not gave up the attacking.

Match:

The match doesn't look easy for Toluca, as Cúcuta is expected to come defendig. Cúcuta together with Caracas FC and Libertad are being the surprises of the Cup.

Prediction:

I expect Toluca to make a fine offensive display and make goals, and for sure they aren't going to forget defensive which is their best characteristic. Still coach Gallego call to prudence as he recognize the offensive power of Cúcuta and that it would be hard to stop make me believe this could be Toluca victory at least by a goal. Toluca will played to have a victory with more goals, but for me I expect Toluca winning, still could be an score not enought to qualified.

Pick : Toluca
Odds : 1.60
Stake : 8 / 10
Bookmaker : Bet-at-home
Date : 2007-05-08
Match Result :
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