Talleres (Argentina) – River Plate (Argentina)
Talleres failed to secure the point they needed to finish as group B leaders in round six, when they lost 2-0 away at Sao Paulo FC in Brazil. La T dropped down to second spot on 13 points, trailing their last opponents by goal difference. On Friday, Walter Ribonetto drew 1-1 away against Barracas Central at Huracan. Following that result, they made it 17 points (three behind leaders Huracan), dropping out of the Copa Libertadores’ spots in the aggregate table. In fact, Talleres have been without a win in their last five, drawing four and losing one. At home, they are on 13 games unbeaten (nine wins and four draws).
River Plate finished as the best team in the whole group stage thanks to an easy 2-0 home success over Deportivo Tachira in week six, through which they made it 16 points from a possible 18. Last Saturday, El Millonario drew 1-1 at home against Huracan in coach Marcelo Gallardo’s return to the club. The side made it 15 points in the Liga Profesional to hold onto one of the Copa Libertadores’ spots in the aggregate table. River won only one of their last seven competitive matches, drawing three and losing two in that time. On away turf, they remain winless in the last five (two stalemates and three losses).
Both of them arrive at this Round of 16 in very poor form: Talleres drew the last 4 league games 1-1 even though they had easy fixtures against weak rivals, and River won only 1 of the last 6, a last minute 1-0 vs relegation candidates Sarmiento. To make things worse, River won’t have their top scorer Miguel Borja as well as their other starting striker Facundo Collidio. They still have enough manpower to win here, but I’ll go for the UNDER as I expect a tight 1st leg.