Deportivo Pereira (Colombia) vs Boca Juniors (Argentina)
Deportivo Pereira secured their first victory in Copa Libertadores’ history in week three, when beating Monagas SC 2-1 thanks to goals from Carlos Ramirez and Jimer Fory. As a result, El Grande Matecana made it four points in group F and are now third-placed, trailing Colo Colo (who already played their fourth game) by one. Speaking of the league, Alejandro Restrepo’s men ended their Torneo Apertura campaign with a 2-1 home success over Alianza Petrolera last Wednesday, failing to qualify for the playoffs after collecting 25 points in 20 games. Overall, Pereira are on four games unbeaten, winning three and drawing one. At home, they haven’t lost any of the last four (three triumphs and four stalemates).
Meanwhile, Boca Juniors claimed a massive 2-0 away success at Colo Colo three weeks ago, which allows them to accumulate seven points in three matches and become group F leaders. Now they have the chance of taking a big step towards the round of 16. Last Friday, El Xeneize beat Argentinos Juniors 1-0 away to climb into tenth place of the Liga Profesional table on 24 points in 17 games. In fact, Jorge Almiron’s men lost only one of their last seven matches in all competitions, winning five and drawing one in that spell. On away turf, Boca registered four victories, two stalemates and four losses in 2023.
Boca is finally showing signs of improvement, they are not brilliant but at least they are more solid so even though I can’t imagine them winning this competition, this should be a game they should win.