Emelec may benefit from River Plate’s reshuffle in Copa

Copa Libertadores
11.15pm Wednesday

Sunday’s Superclasico will dictate River Plate boss Marcelo Gallardo’s team selection against Emelec and makes a home victory less likely.

Los Millonarios are in great form going into their fourth Group Three tie in the Copa Libertadores, having won nine and drawn one of their last ten matches in all competitions.

They are top of their Copa section with maximum points from three games and need just a point against Emelec to secure qualification for the last 16 with two rounds to go.

It means Gallardo is in a strong position and able to rotate his squad with this weekend’s Buenos Aires derby against Boca Juniors the only game in town.

Gallardo has made no secret that he will bring in the likes of Tomas Andrade, Marcelo Larrondo, Carlos Auzqui and several other fringe players. And while they are all top pros and capable of sustaining River Plate’s excellent recent form, the reshuffle has to be music to the ears of Emelec chief Alfredo Arias. The bet is the Emelec or draw double chance at 7-5 with bet365.

The Ecuadoreans have won one of their three matches, losing 2-1 at home to River Plate two weeks ago after taking an early lead. They bossed the first half but couldn’t add to their goal and the Argentinian giants were vastly improved after the break.

Their other loss was at altitude at Peruvian side Melgar, a 1-0 defeat in which they played over an hour with ten men following the dismissal of Romario Caicedo. The winger returns from his ban and Emelec are all but at full-strength with Marlon de Jesus, who has netted five domestic goals this season, the only notable absentee.

Recommendation
Emelec or draw double chance
1pt 7-5 bet365