Deportivo La Guaira vs Fluminense

Both Deportivo La Guaira and Fluminense open their Copa Libertadores Group C campaign in Caracas tonight, and a strong start could prove decisive in a group that also features Bolívar and Independiente Rivadavia. Fluminense arrive in fine shape — 20 points from 10 Brasileirão rounds, highlighted by a 3-1 demolition of Corinthians. John Kennedy leads the attack with support from Venezuelan winger Yeferson Soteldo, giving the Tricolor a familiar edge on hostile soil. Nonato and Matheus Reis are both sidelined through injury. La Guaira, unbeaten domestically (five wins, five draws), will look to Juan Carlos Castellanos and Flabian Londono to unlock the visitors' backline. La Guaira's defensive record is genuinely impressive — just four goals conceded in ten league games — and coach Héctor Bidoglio has built a compact, well-organised side. But Fluminense's continental pedigree is hard to ignore; the 2023 Libertadores champions have won seven of eight encounters against Venezuelan clubs in the competition. Our prediction: 0-2