Boca (Argentina) vs Corinthians (Brazil)
Boca Juniors secured a valuable scoreless stalemate on their visit to Corinthians last Tuesday and now they have the big chance of winning at home to advance to the quarter-finals. Last Friday, coach Sebastian Battaglia fielded a completely alternative XI and his team suffered a devastating 3-0 home defeat to Banfield. That result also means El Xeneize are now on three competitive matches without a win (one draw and two defeats in that spell). The team remain on nine points in the Liga Profesional after six rounds and have lost their last two home matches,
Meanwhile, Corinthians wasted a big opportunity in the first leg as striker Roger Guedes missed a penalty in the first half against Boca Juniors at home, when it all ended 0-0. Last Saturday, boss Vitor Pereira rested his regulars and O Timao lost 4-0 away at Fluminense, which dropped them down to fourth place in the Brasileirao table (but just three points behind leaders Palmeiras). That result broke Corinthians’ six-game unbeaten streak of three victories and three draws in all competitions. However, on away turf, they are on three without a win, having drawn one and lost two.
I expect nothing but another tight game, the draw will take them to the penalties shootout and I can’t imagine either side taking too many risks.