2025 Copa Sudamericana Group Stage – Matchday 6: Key Matches, Favorites, and Where to Watch

The ball starts rolling on Tuesday, May 27, and every match feels like a final. After all, only the group winners go straight to the Round of 16. Second-place teams? They’ll have to sweat it out in the Playoffs against the Libertadores third-placed teams. That means guaranteed drama!

And here’s the twist: not a single Brazilian team has secured a direct spot in the Round of 16 yet! That’s right – not one! Cruzeiro is already out of contention, but Vitória, Corinthians, Grêmio, Fluminense, Atlético-MG, and Vasco are still in the race – even if, for now, all of them would land in the playoff zone.

Meanwhile, Mushuc Runa continues to shine as the tournament’s biggest Cinderella story. Training in Ecuador’s high altitudes and stacking wins, the team founded in 2023 has already locked up first place in Group E. And they’re not alone: Universidad de Quito and Lanús have also booked spots in the knockouts.

If you’re the kind of fan who likes to spice things up with sports betting, this is the perfect round for you. So stick with us – we’ve got games, hot odds, and sharp predictions from those following every detail. Let’s go?

Vasco da Gama vs Melgar

On Tuesday, May 27 at 7 PM (Brasília time), São Januário Stadium in Rio de Janeiro will host a thrilling, high-stakes match in the final round of the 2025 Copa Sudamericana group stage: Vasco vs Melgar.

Vasco, coached by Fernando Diniz, comes into the match needing to capitalize on home advantage. They’ve had a mixed run recently: a 3–0 win over Fortaleza, a penalty shootout win against Operário-PR in the Copa do Brasil, but also a loss to Fluminense over the weekend. Currently second in Group G, Vasco needs a win – but even then, they’re likely headed to the playoffs against Libertadores dropouts.

Melgar, managed by Walter Ribonetto, is experiencing a roller-coaster campaign in the Peruvian league. But when it comes to the Sudamericana, they’ve shown fight – winning away at Academia Puerto Cabello and battling to a 3–3 draw with Vasco at altitude in Arequipa. They still dream of qualification but will need a win and help from other results.

Head-to-Head Record

This rivalry is just getting started. Their only previous meeting was the dramatic 3–3 draw in Arequipa. This will be the first time they meet in Rio – and it promises fireworks!

Expectations

With odds at 1.42, Vasco are clear favorites at home. Backed by their fans, they’ll be pushing hard for the win. A draw is priced at 4.3, while a Melgar upset pays 8.4. The Peruvians have pulled off surprises before – but they’ll need to be at their best in Rio.

Where to Watch

Paramount+ (streaming platform)

Bet on Vasco vs Melgar at Blaze!

Huracán vs Corinthians

Tuesday, May 27 at 9:30 PM (Brasília time), the historic Estadio Tomás Adolfo Ducó – also known as “El Palacio” – in Buenos Aires sets the stage for a fierce showdown.

Huracán is in good form and comes into the game with confidence. After knocking out Independiente on penalties and building momentum in the Sudamericana, Frank Kudelka’s squad will want to assert themselves at home. Their 2–1 win over Corinthians in São Paulo is still fresh in the memory.

Corinthians, under Dorival Júnior, are no strangers to away pressure. Despite some ups and downs in the Brasileirão, they’re on a solid run: wins over Santos, Racing (Montevideo), and a Copa do Brasil advancement. A 0–0 draw with Atlético-MG showed defensive improvement. Now, it’s time to get revenge and prove they can be giants on the road.

Head-to-Head Record

These sides have only met once – and Huracán shocked Corinthians with a 2–1 win in São Paulo. Now we’ll see what happens in Buenos Aires.

Expectations

Corinthians are slight favorites with odds of 2.15. Huracán, considered underdogs at 3.55, will count on home pressure and that intense continental atmosphere to even things out.

Where to Watch

SBT (broadcast), ESPN (cable), Disney+ (streaming)

Bet on Huracán vs Corinthians at Blaze!

Cruzeiro vs Unión Santa Fe

Wednesday, May 28 at 9:30 PM (Brasília time), the ball rolls at the iconic Mineirão in Belo Horizonte.

Cruzeiro, under Léo Jardim, are in strong form. They’ve beaten Fortaleza away, knocked out Vila Nova in the Copa do Brasil with back-to-back wins, and recently defeated Palestino in a morale-boosting match.

They’ve also picked up solid wins in the Brasileirão – over Flamengo, Sport, and Vasco. However, even with a win, Cruzeiro is already out of the competition.

Unión Santa Fe, coached by interim Nicolás Vazzoler, has had a much rougher run. Losses to Mushuc Runa and Palestino, plus poor domestic form (just 2 wins in 10 games), have left them struggling.

Head-to-Head Record

They’ve met once – Unión won 1–0 at home.

Expectations

Cruzeiro are favorites with odds of 1.84. Even though they can’t advance, they’ll want to please fans with a strong finish. Unión’s odds sit at 4.5 – they’ll need something special to cause an upset in Brazil.

Where to Watch

Paramount+ (streaming)

Bet on Cruzeiro vs Unión Santa Fe at Blaze!

Universidad Católica vs Vitória

On Wednesday, May 28 at 9:30 PM (Brasília time), Universidad Católica of Ecuador hosts Vitória in Quito.

The Ecuadorian side comes off a 3–1 win over LDU last weekend. Despite some recent stumbles in the domestic league, Católica has been strong at home and has delivered solid performances in the Sudamericana, beating Defensa y Justicia and Cerro Largo by good margins. In short: playing at Atahualpa is no joke.

Vitória, on the other hand, is chasing qualification. Despite back-to-back losses in the Brasileirão – including a 1–0 defeat to Santos – the team has shown a different face in the Sudamericana: a win away at Cerro Largo and gritty draws against Defensa y Justicia and Universidad Católica at home. Now, they need to brave the altitude and bring home a result.

Head-to-Head Record

The only previous encounter between these clubs was a hard-fought 1–1 draw in Salvador.

Expectations

Universidad Católica are favorites with odds of 2.34. Vitória enters as the underdog with odds of 3.15 – but they’ve shown they can pull off surprises. Will the Lion roar in the Andes?

Where to Watch

ESPN and Disney+ (streaming)

Bet on Universidad Católica vs Vitória at Blaze!

Grêmio vs Sportivo Luqueño

Grêmio hosts Sportivo Luqueño on Thursday, May 29 at 7 PM (Brasília time), at the Arena do Grêmio in Porto Alegre.

Under Mano Menezes, Grêmio has had an up-and-down stretch – including a painful Copa do Brasil elimination to CSA – but they bounced back with a key win over Bahia. Before that, they had draws against Godoy Cruz and Bragantino and beat Luqueño 2–1 away.

Meanwhile, Gustavo Morínigo’s side is struggling in Paraguay, with recent losses to Nacional and Guaraní. In the Sudamericana, Luqueño is winless on the road and barely escaped a loss against Atlético Grau. Now, facing Grêmio away is a tough ask.

Head-to-Head Record

Their only previous meeting was that 2–1 Grêmio win in Paraguay.

Expectations

Grêmio are heavy favorites at 1.19. With home support and renewed momentum, they aim for a smooth win. A Luqueño victory is priced at 16.0 – a long shot, but who knows?

Where to Watch

ESPN and Disney+ (streaming)

Bet on Grêmio vs Sportivo Luqueño at Blaze!

Atlético Mineiro vs Cienciano

On Thursday, May 29 at 9:30 PM (Brasília time), Atlético Mineiro hosts Cienciano at Arena MRV in Belo Horizonte.

Atlético, coached by Cuca, is on a solid run. Despite a few draws, they’ve shown defensive strength (0–0 vs Cruzeiro and Corinthians) and offensive firepower (4–0 over Maringá, 3–1 over Caracas). Unbeaten in five matches, they’re riding high after advancing in the Copa do Brasil and staying strong in the Brasileirão.

Cienciano, led by Carlos Desio, comes in hot after a 6–1 league win over UTC. In the Sudamericana, they’ve also impressed recently – with a 4–0 win over Iquique and 3–1 over Caracas. So don’t underestimate the Peruvians – they’re going all in.

Head-to-Head Record

The only previous match was a 0–0 draw in Peru – full of tension.

Expectations

Atlético are massive favorites at 1.15. Cienciano are big underdogs with odds of 19.0 – but they’ve shown they can surprise.

Where to Watch

ESPN and Disney+ (streaming)

Bet on Atlético Mineiro vs Cienciano at Blaze!

Fluminense vs Once Caldas

Thursday night also features Fluminense vs Once Caldas at 9:30 PM (Brasília time), at Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro.

Renato Gaúcho’s Fluminense is back on track! After a derby win over Vasco and a Copa do Brasil thrashing, they’re bouncing back. While there have been some stumbles, the team seems to have found balance again.

Colombia’s Once Caldas, coached by Hernán Herrera, arrives eager to cause trouble. Despite losing at home to Fluminense in the first leg, they’re coming off a domestic win over Deportivo Cali and will be no easy opponent.

Head-to-Head Record

Only one meeting so far – Fluminense won 1–0 in Colombia.

Expectations

Fluminense are favorites with odds of 1.71. Once Caldas pays 4.5 for a win – and they’ll look to make it tough in Rio.

Where to Watch

Paramount+ (streaming exclusive)

Bet on Fluminense vs Once Caldas at Blaze!

Who Will Win the 2025 Copa Sudamericana?

The 2025 edition is far from over, but one thing is clear: Brazilian teams are the heavy favorites – even if none have yet secured a direct ticket to the Round of 16.

Leading the charge is Fluminense, with odds of 6.5 to lift the trophy. The Tricolor has enjoyed solid international runs in recent years and now aims to finally conquer the Sudamericana.

Right behind them is Atlético Mineiro (7.0). Then come Corinthians and Grêmio, both at 8.0 – rounding out a Brazilian quartet with serious title hopes.

Looking for a dark horse? There are some compelling options: the historic Independiente (12.0), always-tough Lanús (15.0), and even Vasco (19.0), with its legendary continental pedigree, could pull off a surprise.

Bet on the 2025 Copa Sudamericana at Blaze!

Now that you know what to expect from the final group stage round, don’t wait! Place your bets now on the 2025 Copa Sudamericana at Blaze!