Copa Libertadores: Boca Juniors v Athletico Paranaense betting preview & tips

1.30am Wednesday night

Boca Juniors triumphed 1-0 at Athletico Paranaense in the first leg of their Copa Libertadores round-of-16 clash and can finish the job in style with a victory in Buenos Aires.

The teams will be familiar with each other having crossed swords twice during the group stage.

Home advantage was key in those meetings, with Athletico winning 3-0 on matchday three and Boca claiming a 2-1 success on matchday six.

However, Boca turned the tables with a textbook away performance last Wednesday – soaking up plenty of pressure and claiming the win with an 83rd minute goal from on-loan Brighton midfielder Alexis Mac Allister.

And it leaves them in a strong position, knowing a draw would be enough to see them through to the quarter-finals.

Boca are usually tough to play against at La Bombonera where they are unbeaten in their last ten matches.

They won each of their three home games in the group stage and had the second-best home record in the Argentinian top flight last season – winning nine, drawing one and losing two.

Having to win the fixture looks a daunting prospect for Athletico, who have lost all three Copa Libertadores away games this season.

They are on a three-game winning sequence in the Brazilian top flight, including away wins at CSA (4-0) and Cruzeiro (2-0).

However, those successes against struggling domestic opponents may not prepare them for the mammoth task awaiting them in the Argentinian capital.

Boca lost 5-3 on aggregate to fierce domestic rivals River Plate in last season's Copa Libertadores final but they seem to be on a mission to make amends and are worthy odds-on favourites to progress with a victory.

Recommendation
Boca Juniors
1pt 10-11 general

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport

Like us on Facebook RacingPostSport