Deportivo La Guaira (Venezuela) – Independiente Rivadavia (Argentina)
Deportivo La Guaira let a huge opportunity slip away in their last Copa Libertadores outing, drawing 1–1 at home against Club Bolívar after conceding the equalizer in the 94th minute. Following Tuesday’s result between the Bolivian side and Fluminense, they now sit bottom of Group C with three points, although they have the chance to climb into second place with a win this Thursday. On Friday, they drew 0–0 at home against Universidad Central, remaining third in Group A of the Venezuelan Torneo Apertura final quadrangular stage with four points from four matches (two behind the leaders with two rounds remaining). La Guaira are on a six-match winless run across all competitions (five draws and one defeat). At home, however, they are unbeaten in ten matches, recording three wins and seven draws.
Independiente Rivadavia suffered a disappointment in their last Copa Libertadores match, drawing 1–1 against Fluminense FC at home at the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas. However, that result was enough to secure qualification for the round of 16 in their first-ever participation in the competition. Moreover, after the Brazilian side’s victory on Tuesday, La Lepra also clinched first place in Group C with ten points and two matches still to play. A few days after that draw, Independiente were beaten 2–1 at home by Unión Santa Fe, being eliminated from the Argentine Torneo Apertura in the round of 16 despite finishing as the best team in the group stage. As part of what has still been an outstanding year, Independiente are now on a small three-match winless run across all competitions (two draws and one defeat). However, they are unbeaten in their last nine away matches, recording six wins and three draws. All regular starters are available for Thursday’s match.
Independiente Rivadavia has already secured the 1st place of the group while La Guaria must win to have a chance of going to Copa Sudamericana, so I expect this to be an open game between a relaxed team and another one that needs to take risks.
BET: OVER 2 @ 1.81
