Cruziero v River Plate
Wednesday 30th July 2315hrs
Football – South America – CONMEBOL Libertadores
Pick River Plate to qualify
Bookmaker Bet365
Odds: 8/13 (odds taken 13.00 GMT, Tuesday 30 July)
 |
1 | X | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17/10 | 2/1 | 7/4 |
* (Betting Odds were taken from 22Bet on July 30, 2019 at 13.00)
There was nothing to split Cruziero and River Plate in the first leg of their last 16 Copa Libertadores tie last week but there has to be a winner tomorrow in what was always likely to be a tight encounter.
CONMEBOL Libertadores Betting at Bet365
Cruziero Preview – Can Brazilians make home advantage count and knockout out current champions?
Cruziero qualified for this year’s Libertadores courtesy of their Copa d0 Brasil triumph in 2018. Due to that, they would not have been considered one of the leading contenders but now find themselves on the cusp of making the quarter-finals. That was the stage Cruziero reached last season when knocked out by the other of the two major Argentinian powerhouses, Boca Juniors. Head Coach Mano Menezes has been a finalist with Gremio all the way back in 2007 and is experienced enough to know there is a long way to go in this tie despite a positive result.
The Brazilian’s had an excellent group stage whereby they won five of their six matches to top the section. Because of that strong showing they would have been expecting a kinder draw in the first knockout stage than River Plate. As a group winner the first leg was away from home and securing a goalless draw is certainly a feather in the cap of Menezes’ team. It was also something of a surprise as Cruziero’s form overall has not been great. Since the group stage came to an end they have won only once in 14 matches during the regulation 90 minutes. It’s now also five games without scoring a goal so that will be something they are looking to rectify on Wednesday.
River Plate Preview – Can defending champs find another big performance on their travels?
Drama and controversy go hand in hand with South American football and that was no more apparent in last year’s final between River Plate and Boca Juniors. When the game was eventually played in Madrid, it was River who were celebrating. That was their fourth success in this competition and they will feel they are capable of following up. To do that, Marcelo Gallardo’s men will have to produce another big performance away from home. Keeping a clean sheet at home is never the worst result but it could have been so much better. Matias Suarez’ missed penalty deep into injury time could yet prove decisive in the context of this tie.
River are in very good form at the moment so will travel to Brazil in confident mood that they can still progress. Their away from in the competition also means they have a lot of cause for optimism. River have not lost an away game in the Libertadores since losing to Lanus in the 2017 semi-final. Since then Gallardo’s men have won four and drawn six. Any avoidance of defeat tomorrow would, at worst, see them go to extra-time. And eight of their results in that time would be enough to see them advance.
Key-Facts – Cruziero v River Plate
- Cruziero topped their section in the group stage winning five out of six games but have not scored a goal in their last five matches
- River Plate defeated their arch rivals Boca in last year’s Libertadores final but have work to do to retain their title
- This is the first meeting of the two teams in this competition since 2015. River won the quarter-final tie 3-1 on aggregate
Cruziero v River Plate Betting Advice
Any clash between Brazilian and Argentinian teams tend to be much anticipated. This second leg between Cruziero and River Plate is certainly that. The winners will face either San Lorenzo or Cerro Porteno, another tie which is delicately poised at 0-0 going into the second leg. With Suarez’ missed penalty virtually being the last kick of the ball in the previous game, it remains to be seen how much of a residual effect that will have on this game. I expect River Plate to be far too experienced and savvy to be overly affected by it, though.
Whichever team wins this competition fully earns it. River showed so many qualities last season and their record of one loss in the last 21 Libertadores matches show just how consistent they are. An away goal and this tie looks completely different. Having scored in eight of their last 10 away games, I’m counting on the champions to show their resolve once again and progress from this tie.
