View the Leon vs Iquique penalty highlights here.
The Leon vs Iquique second leg match will decide which team advances to Group 4 of the Copa Libertadores 2013. This decisive match of this two-game series will take place at the Estadio Tierra de Campeones in Iquique, Chile, on Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at 8:00 PM Eastern.
The 1st game of the Leon vs Iquique Copa Libertadores 2013 preliminary round series was a letdown for Leon. An early defensive mistake in the first half led to a goal for Iquique. Leon proceeded to dominate the flow of the game, having several attacking opportunities (missing all of them), until they finally scored in the 87th minute. Iquique played its style, they scored and defended with eleven men, and ended up getting the important 1-1 away draw.
Leon must now travel to Chile and either defeat Iquique by any score; draw 2-2, or any other draw where they score more than two goals; or draw 1-1 and win in OT or penalties. A 0-0 draw or loss eliminates Leon.
Leon has had a very rough start to the season so far, in 4 Liga MX games, it has lost 3 and tied only 1, for a total of 1 point earned out of 12 possible. Add to that the 1-1 draw against Iquique at home, and Leon has played 5 matches in 2013 without winning a single one. Leon has only scored 4 goals in five matches, but has allowed 8. Now, Leon must somehow go to Iquique and hope to either pull off its first win of the season, or draw while scoring 2 or more goals.
Iquique just started play in the Chilean league this part weekend, fielding a reserve team in the hopes of keeping the starters fresh for the Copa Libertadores match against Leon. Iquique drew 0-0 against Palestino.
Leon vs Iquique Copa Libertadores Prediction
The Leon vs Iquique match will be intense, the small Estadio Tierra de Campeones (capacity just a little over 9,000) will be rocking, the home fans want this win. At Leon, Iquique played a hyper-defensive strategy and got the result. I expect the same from them at home, they know they go through with a 0-0 draw. Matosas will place an attacking formation, Leon must score several goals if it wants to make it to the group stage. I predict the Leon vs Iquique match will end in a disappointment for Leon, which will lose 2-1 against Iquique.
Leon vs Iquique Copa Libertadores Television
The Leon vs Iquique match will be televised on Fox Deportes this Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at 8:00 PM Eastern.
View the Leon vs Iquique penalty highlights here.
