Competition: Copa Libertadores

Market: Boca Juniors win

Odds: 3/5 @ Pribet

Looking to extend on their Copa Libertadores knockout stage run in the early hours of Thursday, Boca Juniors will welcome Nacional to La Bombonera in midweek.

Starting with the hosts, while Boca Juniors might have been disappointed after missing out on the chance to claim a first-leg advantage on foreign soil last week, the Argentinian giants will feel that they are sat in pole position. Eventually claiming a 0-0 stalemate over in Uruguay, Jorge Almiron’s men will be confident of finishing off the job when they return to La Bombonera in the early hours of Thursday. Claiming a seventh-place finish among Argentina’s elite last season, the Buenos Aires-based outfit certainly signed off the 2023 campaign with a major flurry. In fact, along with storming their way to a routine 2-0 victory away at Independiente on July 29th, the former Elche boss finds his side in the midst of a nine-match unbeaten run across all competitions – a run that stems back to June 23rd. Rightfully tipped as a standout pick here, Boca have also gained a reputation for their extended success on home soil. It should be highlighted, Boca have remarkably taken 28 points from their previous 10 home fixtures across all formats.

As for the visitors, missing out on the chance to claim a first-leg advantage on home soil last week, Nacional will know that they face a huge uphill struggle when they travel to La Bombonera in the early hours of Thursday. Only mustering a quartet of victories from their previous 11 appearances – a run that stems back to May 14th – Alvaro Gutierrez’s men have also failed to secure back-to-back wins since the end of April. Tipped as a major underdog pick when they turn their attention back to Copa Libertadores duties here, Nacional have certainly shown some extended issues on the road. Including a 3-0 drumming at the hands of domestic rivals Liverpool M on June 23rd, it should be highlighted that the one-time Al Shabab boss has seen his side claim just one win from their previous seven showdowns away from the Gran Parque Central. Likewise, failing to win any of their previous six straight meetings against Boca across all competitions, we are expecting a similar home victory here.

Bet: Boca Juniors 3/5 to beat Nacional in Thursday’s Copa Libertadores showdown @ Pribet