Germán Villa and Club América are trying to become just the second Mexican club to win a South American competition. Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP/Getty Images

The Colombians have already been eliminated from their domestic competition, and will look at the Sudamericana as their main means to finally return to the continental map after many years in obscurity. Their victory over São Paulo means great expectations awaiting the first-leg clash with América on Wednesday, and all 48,000 tickets put on sale at the Campín de Bogotá have already been sold out.

"I think both teams know how important these two matches will be, "Millonarios striker Jonathan Estrada declared to the press. "We will arrive with the same mentality that we have always had, and even more so by knowing that we are just a step away from the final."

But will Millonarios have the necessary fire power to defeat América? On paper, it seems unlikely. Despite the fact that América is currently in eighth position in the overall Mexican Apertura championship standings, it boasts one of its most exciting squads in years.

América's depth is absolutely amazing this season, particularly because of its talented South American contingent. Former Boca Juniors playmaker Federico Insúa has the right temperament to lead the side in creativity, while Hernán Rodrigo López and Salvador Cabañas are deadly when in front of goal (all three players scored in the 4-1 rout of last year's champion, Pachuca, in the round of 16).

Las Águilas haven't experienced much success in South American club competitions in the past, but have a good shot at the title this season. If they're able to return home with a positive result from Colombia, they should be able to close in on a final appearance when the sides meet for the second leg at Toluca's Nemesio Diez stadium on Nov. 13 (América's home stadium, the Azteca, is booked for a religious event).

That being said, which two teams will advance to the grand final, and who will end up winning it? Expect a highly contested series between Millonarios and América, two teams that have proven they fully deserve to be at this stage of the competition.

The Colombians probably come into the series as the favorites after easing past what seemed to be a very difficult São Paulo side. Argentine manager Mario Vanemerak has worked wonders with the team since replacing Martín Lasarte midway through the season, and his squad promises to deliver the goods.

But, despite only scraping into the semifinals after holding on for a lucky 1-0 defeat against Vasco da Gama in Rio de Janeiro last month (going through 2-1 on aggregate), América's overall depth means it should be a tricky opponent.

Expect the Mexicans to advance to the final after an extremely exciting series that will be decided in the final moments of the second leg. América is likely to meet River in what will be one of the most attractive deciders in recent years. The fact that River last won a major international title back in '96 means it will do everything possible to get past Arsenal to return to a continental final.

And even though América has assembled a very determined side this season, it will be beaten to the title by River Plate. The Argentines are hungry for a title that has eluded them, and the quality of their squad suggests no one will be able to stop them this year.