Home advantage can guide River Plate past bitter rivals Boca

Copa Libertadores - Second leg
BT Sport 2, 8pm Saturday

Bitter Argentine rivals Boca Juniors and River Plate served up a thrilling 2-2 draw in the first leg of their Copa Libertadores final and there should be plenty more twists and turns when the adversaries lock horns once more.

The first leg at Boca took place a day later than scheduled due to heavy rain in Buenos Aires but it was worth the wait as River Plate twice came from behind to pinch a draw and keep the tie in the balance.

The away goals rule is not applied in the final so it’s very much still to play for but home advantage could swing it in River Plate’s favour.

Marcelo Gallardo’s men are a formidable force on home soil. They have lost just one of their last 25 matches in all competitions and the magnitude of the occasion could see that dominance come into play.

Five of the last seven Superclasico’s have gone River’s way too, and the quality in their forward line has to make them favourites.

Classy Colombian Juan Quintero could only make the bench in the opening tussle, which highlights their strength in depth, and Gonzalo Martinez, recently called up to the Argentina squad, is the man who so often makes them tick.

The physical presence of Lucas Pratto gives the hosts a different dimension and they should prove too strong for their neighbours, who have won only one of their last eight away games in this competition.

Carlos Tevez, Sebastian Villa and Cristian Pavon are capable of making things happen if given the freedom, but River will be wary of their threat and can keep it to a minimum.

Matches between the fierce pair are rarely straightforward, with drama almost guaranteed, but River Plate have a deeper squad and playing on home soil looks set to be the decisive factor.

Recommendation
River Plate
1pt 6-5 Betfred, bet365, Sky Bet

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