In episode 271 of Hand Of Pod, Sam and English Dan have an afternoon conversation about two big continental ties: the all-Argentine Copa Libertadores semi-final which saw Lanús come back from 3-0 down on aggregate to beat River Plate 4-3 and advance to the first Libertadores final in the club’s history, and Racing’s Copa Sudamericana exit at the hands of Paraguayan giants Libertad, which it’s fair to say was somewhat less thrilling. Independiente should keep the Argentine flag flying (their Copa Sudamericana quarter-final second leg was going to plan as this episode was uploaded), and Boca Juniors extended their lead in the Superliga, winning as River and Lanús (who both fielded reserve sides) both lost; they’re now six points clear of second-placed San Lorenzo, ahead of this weekend’s visit to River Plate, which we of course preview.
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Last week, Mystic Sam beat Mystic Gav 7-4 in the predict-off. This week, no-one volunteered and Sam forgot to tweet a challenge out, so here are Mystic Sam’s eighth round predictions on their own.
Chacarita v Gimnasia
Godoy Cruz v Huracán
Colón v San Martín
Lanús v Olimpo
San Lorenzo v Banfield
Central v Atl. Tucumán
Racing v Talleres
Temperley v Defensa y Justicia
Estudiantes v Argentinos
Belgrano v Independiente
River v Boca
Arsenal v Tigre
Patronato v Newell’s
Vélez v Unión
Hand Of Pod 
Throwing my picks in the hat:
Chacarita v Gimnasia w
Godoy Cruz v Huracán w
w Colón v San Martín
w Lanús v Olimpo
w San Lorenzo v Banfield
Central v Atl. Tucumán d
w Racing v Talleres
Temperley v D y J w
Estudiantes v Argentinos d
Belgrano v Independiente w
River v Boca w
w Arsenal v Tigre
Patronato v Newell’s d
Vélez v Unión w