LC - Football - South America - Libertadores Cup

Libertadores Cup's Quarterfinals second leg match between Boca Juniors and Racing Club. Racing Club won 1-0 the first leg.

Boca Juniors
Boca Juniors is looking to overcome the first leg defeat. In the most recent five matches that is their only defeat, with two victories and two draws in the other matches. In the previous round elkiminated Brazilian side Internacional in penalties after a draw in the overall score.

Considering trhe importance of Libertadores Cup, Boca Juniors used an alternative lineup for their mawtch against Independiente, match in which they comeback to win in the finals minutes with a goal from Edwin Cardona, key player that was sent into the match to precisely that effect.

Currently Boca Juniors has four consecutive eliminations by argentinian teams, in 2013 against Newell's, and in 2015, 2018 y 2019 against River Plated. Therefore they will be looking to overcome the score, they need to win by two goals, expect an offensive display from them.

Racing Club
Racing Club have not reached Libertadores Cup Semifinals since 1997, now 90 minutes separate them to get in that instance. Considering the importance of Libertadores Cup for them, Racing field an alternative squad against Estudiantes and were able to obtained a draw, therefore saving the key players for this encounter.

Racing proceed to this tage after two draws against Flamengo and winning it in penalties. The advantage of having won in the first leg provides them with a little space to take advantage as time proceed of the need of Boca Juniors to score and open them spaces that could be taken advantage of. Loreno Melgarejo arrived this season and is already showin his impact for Racing Club, with key goals. Regarding Libertadores he has scored in two of the last three games.

Match
It is expected an offensive display from Boca Juniors, because the match is being disputed at Bombonera Stadium. Racing Club has the advantage in the score, and meanwhile they can came out to defend it, I expect they will also look to attack. In the previous five matches between them in this stadium, Racing Club, has three wins, one scoreless draw and a 4-2 defeat. Four of those results would see Racing Club proceed. A match that is slight favorable for Racing Club recently.

Prediction
Boca Juniors needs to win by two goals or more, expect both teams to have their best players on display. Racing Club proceed with a win, draw, or even losing by one goal, due to the away goals. If Boca Juniors won 1-0, then penalties will be used to decide who proceed to the next stage. Boca Juniors at home is a force to be recongnize, but recently has struggle with only two victories in the most recent five matches there, together with a precedent here that recently favours Racing Club and Racing Club recent away form, despite three defeats and two draws, four of those results would see them proceed. Therefore taking a one goal advantage for Racing Club seems like a good value.

23/12/2020 23:45, read 923 times