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Aron Wright - April 23, 2018
Boca Juniors vs Palmeiras
South America – Copa Libertadores
Date: Thursday, 26 April 2018
Kick-Off at 01:45 UK
Venue: Estadio Alberto Jose Armando (Buenos Aires).
What a thrilling stoppage time it was in the third round clash between Palmeiras and Boca Juniors at Allianz Parque. The Brazilian outfit looked to have broken Boca’s resistance when Keno notched the opener in the 90th minute. Nonetheless, the Argentinian legend Carlos Tevez made it all square just two minutes later to set the final score and keep Xeneizes in the race for the top spot in the Group 8.
Can Boca capitalize on this draw and see off the Brazilian rivals on Wednesday evening when the two sides meet each other for the second time in 14 days? A win here would help the Argentines go off Palmeiras at the top of the group ladder. It will be anything but anything but an easy task, though, given that Verdao are very tough to break down this season. As the matter of fact, Tevez’s goal was the first one Palmeiras conceded in this term of Copa Libertadores, having previously successfully kept things quiet at the back in wins over Junior and Alianza Lima.
The match played two weeks ago at Allianz Parque was the first ever head to head encounter between these rivals.
Roger Machado has reasons to be satisfied with his team’s defensive displays at the start of the new season. Apart from super strong performances in Copa Libertadores, the team also conceded no more than a single goal in two opening games of the domestic league campaign. Palmeiras took four points from matches against Botafogo and Internacional.
Boca, on the other side, ended the streak of three straight games without a win on Sunday evening when they dispatched Newell’s Old Boys 3-1 at home. Striker Ramon Abila was the one who inspired the win netting a brace to help his team stay six points clear at the very top of the Superliga standings. The problem for Guillermo Schelotto might, however, be the fact his men shipped at least a goal in six of last seven home matches in all competitions.
In all, we believe it will be very hard for any of these sides to make the difference on Wednesday. The draw looks very attractive at 3.10. Also, the 1-1 scoreline might be the most appealing of them all if we combine Boca’s defensive woes in home matches with Palmeiras’ defensive-minded approach at the start of the season.
Draw @ 3.10
Correct Score 1-1 @ 6.00
