Ecuadorian upstarts may falter at the final hurdle

1.45am

Independiente, the Ecuadorian upstarts who simply refuse to be beaten, are just 90 minutes away from a place in the final of the Copa Libertadores – though dodgy away form suggests their fairytale run will come to an end in Buenos Aires.

Independiente, the Leicester City of this prestigious competition, have seen off reigning champions River Plate and Mexican powers Pumas and last week chalked up an historic 2-1 win over Boca in the home leg. It puts them within touching distance of the final, but there is such a pronounced difference between their home and away form (not unusual in the Copa) that the Argentinian six-time winners still look the bet.