Copa Lib 2012 snapshots: Groups 1, 2

The group stage of the world's second-most prestigious club soccer tournament - CONMEBOL's Copa Libertadores - kicks off on Tuesday, with Neymar and defending champions Santos (Brazil) looking to claim the club's fourth continential championship. Should they do so, Santos will have navigated one of the tougher fields in recent memory, with a full complement of Brazilian giants joined by resurgent Boca Juniors (Argentina), 2011 finalists Penarol (Uruguay) and a Universidad de Chile side that seekings to become the first Chilean team to win South America's greatest prize.

Thanks to the team from SouthAmericanFootball.co.uk ( Anthony Wright, Nicholas Rosano, Brian Maxwell, James Walker-Roberts and FOX Soccer's own Rupert Fryer) we know which of the tournament's 32 remaining clubs can be expected to be around come May's knockout rounds. Here they start with Groups 1 and 2:

GROUP 1
Full group 1 snapshot (SouthAmericanFootball.co.uk)

Not only is Group 1 the draw's only quartet with two Brazilian teams, those teams happen to be the last two Libertadores champions - teams also having the last two South American Players of the Year.

Santos

Country: Brazil
Best Finish(es): Copa winners in 1962, 1964 and 2011
Key Player: Neymar
Expectations: One of the tournament favorites
FOX Soccer prediction: Group winner

Via SouthAmericanFootball.co.uk: Santos are desperate to successfully defend their title. In Neymar, they boast the best player on the continent, and if they can not only keep playmaker Paulo Henrique Ganso but get the youngster to rediscover his form, then Santos will undoubtedly be among the favorites to win the tournament. The capture of full-back Jorge Fucile from FC Porto also looks a very smart signing.

Internacional

Country: Brazil
Best Finish(es): Copa winners in 2006, 2010
Key Player: Andres D'Alessandro
Expectations: Quarterfinals are a must
FOX Soccer prediction: Second place

Via SouthAmericanFootball.co.uk: Inter are back in the hunt for silverware this year. Not only have they held on to striker Leandro Damiao but they have added former Manchester City striker Jo and Dagoberto from Sao Paulo. to their squad. Jesus Datolo arrives from Espanyol and could provide important Libertadores experience (he was part of the Boca side that won the title in 2007). Their success could well depend on the talismanic D'Alessandro, who recently turned down an extremely lucrative contract in China to keep the captain’s armband for another year.

Juan Aurich

Country: Peru
Best Finish(es): Group stage 1969, 2010 and 2012
Key Player: Luis Tejada
Expectations: Hard to have many in this group
FOX Soccer prediction: Distant fourth place

Via SouthAmericanFootball.co.uk: Juan Aurich registered their berth in the Copa Libertadores by winning an enthralling three-legged play-off against Alianza Lima on penalties – the tie went to a third leg after the first two legs finished 2-2 – to win the Peruvian championship for the first time in their history. They've never played Brazilian opposition and will need to display more defensive discipline and ruthlessness in front of goal.

The Strongest

Country: Bolivia
Best Finish(es): Second round 1990 and 1994
Key Player: Ernesto Cristaldo
Expectations: One of the tournament favorites
FOX Soccer prediction: Third place

Via SouthAmericanFootball.co.uk: The eight-time Bolivian champions were the first side from their country to win an away match in the competition, way back in 1965. This year will be their 18th Libertadores appearance, though it remains unlikely their campaign will last long. Mauricio Soria’s team will have to draw on all their strength if they hope to compete in a difficult group.

GROUP 2
Full group 2 snapshot (SouthAmericanFootball.co.uk)

Group 2 should lay out much more balanced than Group 1, though there is a clear favorite. Whether it be from an all-out fight for second or via the crumbling of an embattled Fla, any club from this group could advance.

Flamengo

Country: Brazil
Best Finish(es): Copa winners in 1981
Key Player: Vagner Love
Expectations: Get their act together and make a deep run
FOX Soccer prediction: Group winner

Via SouthAmericanFootball.co.uk: This time in 2011, Flamengo were rejoicing in the signing of Ronaldinho and celebrating as the former Barcelona man led them to the top of the Brazilian Championship. But a 10-match winless run soon put paid to their title hopes. News then emerged that players had not been paid for months. All of which means whoever comes in to replace ex-coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo, who was sacked after the nervy win over Real Potosi in the Libertadores qualifier, has a huge job on his hands. Thiago Neves’ decision not to return to the Engenhao and instead join Fluminense has been offset by the signing of Vagner Love from CSKA Moscow.

Lanus

Country: Argentina
Best Finish(es): Made the last 16 in 2008
Key Player: Santiago Salcedo
Expectations: Advance and be pesky in the round of 16
FOX Soccer prediction: Second place

Via SouthAmericanFootball.co.uk: Lanus have managed to keep hold of their strongest players, including Mariano Pavone, Mauricio Caranta, Silvio Romero, Diego Valeri and World Cup winner Mauro Camoranesi, though news that the latter will miss at least the opening match with injury is a blow. His absence will be a worry for coach Gabriel Schurrer, although he has added striker Santiago Salcedo and right-sided player Gaston Diaz.

Emelec

Country: Ecuador
Best Finish(es): Semifinalists in 1995
Key Player: Luciano Figueroa
Expectations: Challenge Lanus for second place
FOX Soccer prediction: Close, but third place

Via SouthAmericanFootball.co.uk: Emelec are desperate for a successful 2012 and have strengthened over the winter in a bid to aid their cause. Former Villarreal striker Luciano Figueroa is the marquee signing, and while he will take some time to get back to full fitness, he could prove vital. Defender Mariano Mina returns, and talented 20-year-old striker Marlon De Jesus has joined the club after a short spell with Maccabi Haifa. With the exciting duo of Eddy Corozo and Dennys Hurtado, Emelec have the potential to cause an upset in Group Two.

Olimpia

Country: Paraguay
Best Finish(es): Copa winners in 1979, 1990, 2002
Key Player: Pablo Zeballos
Expectations: Make it out of group
FOX Soccer prediction: Also close, but fourth place

Via SouthAmericanFootball.co.uk: The only Paraguayan team to have ever won the Libertadores, Olimpia received a boost with the news that striker Pablo Zeballos, top scorer in both the Apertura and Clausura, would stay with the club. Although currently injured, Zeballos will be key to their hopes of qualifying from a tough group. Olimpia have also bolstered their squad with the loan signing of Peru international Renzo Revoredo from Sporting Cristal and forward Arnaldo Castorino, who returns to the club after scoring nine times for 3 de Febrero in the Clausura.

For more on this year's Copa Libertadores as well as the rest of South American soccer, please visit SouthAmericanFootball.co.uk.