In Group C of the Copa Libertadores, one team has already booked its ticket to the last 16 one matchday before the end of the group phase. Surprisingly, it is neither Santos FC nor Boca Juniors, both of whom were among the big group favourites, but Barcelona SC from Ecuador.
In the race for the second starting spot in the round of 16 of the South American top flight, the other three teams in the group finals are still in suspense. Boca Juniors, who are one point ahead of Santos FC and The Strongest in Group C, currently hold the best cards. If the top club from Buenos Aires wins on the last matchday, they can book their ticket to the last 16 on their own.
In the first leg, Boca mastered the difficult away game at the Estadio Hernando Siles, one of the highest stadiums in the world at 3,637 metres above sea level, to earn three important points. In the return match, head coach Miguel Ángel Russo’s team will now benefit from home advantage at the legendary Bombonera Stadium.
In this calendar year, Boca Juniors have lost only one home match in their own stadium. As the odds comparison of the AFT shows, the second-placed team in Group C is therefore the clear favourite against the Bolivian visitors, as expected. If Boca Juniors win against The Strongest, odds of 1.15 on tip 1 are on offer.
Prediction & Live Odds for Boca Juniors vs. The Strongest
Boca Juniors must win their home game against The Strongest if they are not to rely on support and enter the Copa Libertadores round of 16 on their own merits. The visitors from Bolivia have won two in a row but have benefited from home advantage in their last two group games.
The top club from La Paz has never been able to score in Argentina. Considering how poorly The Strongest performed in their away games against Santos FC and Barcelona SC, it is obvious that they will also suffer a heavy away defeat at Boca Juniors’ “La Bombonera”. After all, the host is one of the strongest home teams in the Copa Libertadores.
We expect Boca Juniors to win and enter the Copa Libertadores round of 16 for the third time in a row. As the visitors have hardly been convincing away from home recently, we even expect a clear home victory, with Boca Juniors winning by at least two goals. The betting odds offered for Boca Juniors vs. The Strongest are 1.45 for a bet on the Asian handicap (-1.5) of the hosts. ✅
Boca Juniors – Statistics & current form
Last week, Boca Juniors missed out on a win in the Copa Libertadores for the third time in a row and thus squandered their good starting position. But because the “Xeneizes” were able to take at least a point against Barcelona SC, head coach Russo’s team still has a chance of reaching the last 16.
In their last group match, they will take on last-place Bolivia. Just like Boca Juniors, the Bolivian visitors can still reach the last 16 of the Copa Libertadores, so the Argentinian representatives will not have an easy task on Wednesday night (CET).
Since 1994, Boca Juniors have made it through every Copa Libertadores group stage – provided CABJ have qualified for the top flight. In the last three editions, the top club from Buenos Aires even reached the semi-finals. It would therefore be all the more surprising if this year’s adventure ends in the group stage.
La Bombonera – the fortress of Boca
Against The Strongest, Boca Juniors will benefit from home advantage in their second-round match. The importance of home advantage for CABJ is already shown by their recent home record (across competitions) this calendar year. In 14 home games, there has only been one defeat. Before the two recent draws at “La Bombonera”, Boca Juniors had won five home games in a row.
Among others, the team of head coach Miguel Ángel Russo won the home match against Santos FC. Boca Juniors scored two goals, with Carlos Tevez (1 goal, 1 assist) directly involved. In the last home match against Barcelona SC, the “Xeneizes” dominated the action but were unable to break down the Ecuadorian defensive fortress.
In the last group match of the Copa Libertadores, Russo will have to do without Salvio, Medina and Rojo due to injury. Compared to the squad that drew against Barcelona SC, there are no major changes. The Interwetten app is currently offering odds of 1.15 for a Boca Juniors win against The Strongest, and a prediction on this is highly recommended given the host’s recent home record.
Predicted Boca Juniors line-up:
Andrada – Capaldo, Lopez, Izquierdoz, Mas – Varela, Campuzano, Almendra – Soldano, Tevez, Villa
The Strongest – Statistics & current form
The Strongest have bounced back from three defeats in their first three Group C matches to still have a chance of reaching the last 16 of the Copa Libertadores in their group final against Boca Juniors. In contrast to the two most recent matches in the preliminary round, where the Bolivians benefited from home advantage, they now have to play an away game again.
The clear underdog role of the Bolivian representatives is quite understandable. At home, The Strongest, just like the Bolivian national team, benefits from an immense home advantage, as the home matches are played in one of the highest stadiums in the world.
On the other hand, The Strongest have been rather harmless away from home. Against Barcelona SC (1st) they suffered a clear away defeat, conceding four goals. Santos FC even scored five goals against the Bolivian Tiger. It is quite possible that the next clear defeat will follow in “La Bombonera” of Boca Juniors.
No point against Argentina again?
The Strongest has never been able to score in Argentina. In 13 away games, two of them at “La Bombonera”, the Bolivians have suffered defeats. Especially disappointing were the performances against River Plate and Boca Juniors, the two top clubs from Buenos Aires. In five matches, The Strongest scored only two goals and conceded a total of 18.
Head coach Alberto Illanes’ side have won just three of their last ten away games, both on the road and in the competition. If you also take a look at The Strongest’s away record in the history of the Copa Libertadores, a prediction on Boca Juniors vs. The Strongest can only be justified with a lot of optimism.
Only six times in the history of the South American CL has “Tigre” won away from home, with two of the six away victories even coming against Bolivian league rivals. Against Boca Juniors, head coach Illanes will be able to draw from the full squad. No major changes from the last starting eleven are expected.
Projected line-up of The Strongest:
Vaca – Torres, Valverde, Martelli, Jesus Sagredo, Jose Sagredo – Vaca, Miranda, Willie – Reinoso, Blackburn