Junior (Colombia) vs River Plate (Argentina)
Junior are still winless in the Copa Libertadores’ group stage following their 1-1 stalemate against Fluminense last Thursday, when they played as hosts at Ecuador’s Barcelona SC due to the Colombian social crisis. As a result, Luis Perea’s men are third-placed in group B on two points, trailing leaders River Plate and Fluminense by three. There was no league action in Colombia last weekend (after knocking out Independiente Santa  Fe, Junior are waiting for the semi-finals, where they will meet Millonarios). They are winless in the last three in all competitions (drawing two and losing one), but haven’t lost any of the last ten as the hosting side (five victories and five draws).
River Plate coach Marcelo Gallardo decided to field an alternative XI last Thursday, when the team had to settle for a scoreless draw playing as visitors against Independiente Santa Fe in Paraguay. The team are now level with at the top of the group D table on five points, three above the two Colombian sides. On Sunday, El Millonario managed to beat Aldosivi 4-1 at home, which allowed them to qualify for the league quarter-finals, where River will face Boca Juniors. The side have been irregular lately, winning two, drawing two and losing two of their last six games. On away turf, they took only two points from the last nine available.
Junior was very unlucky not to get at least a draw when they met at Buenos Aires, and they should have an advantage here at home so I can’t see River as such big favorites.
BET: Junior +0.5 @ 1.92