River (Argentina) vs The Strongest (Bolivia)
River Plate took a big step towards the Copa Libertadores round-of-16 in week five, when beating Brazil’s Fluminense 2-0 at home thanks to goals from Lucas Beltran and Ezequiel Barco. El Millonario climbed into second spot of the group B table on seven points, leading third-placed Sporting Cristal by goal difference. That means the side will advance with a draw here unless the Peruvian side win in Brazil. Last Thursday, Martin Demichelis’ men beat Instituto 3-1 at home to make it a ten-point gap over second-placed Talleres at the top of the Liga Profesional table (50 to 40) with six rounds to go. River are unbeaten in their last seven competitive matches, having won five and drawn two. As hosts, they are on ten official successes in a row.
The Strongest dropped down from second to bottom spot of the Libertadores’ group D rankings as a result of an unexpected 2-1 home defeat to Sporting Cristal in round five. The team remain on six points and now only a victory at River Plate would lead them to the round-of-16 (they also need Fluminense to avoid the defeat). On Saturday, El Tigre lost 6-3 away at Nacional Potosi, making it three defeats across their last four competitive matches (along with a single win), but they remain as league leaders in the Division Profesional on 33 points, one above their last rivals. The Strongest are weak on their travels lately, having lost their last four away games.
River needs a win to try to get the 1st place of the group but also to secure a place in the next stage, and with the way they are playing I can’t see how they won’t destroy this bolivian side that are awful when playing away.