River Plate (Argentina) – Atletico Mineiro (Brazil)
River Plate are in the Copa Libertadores’ quarter-finals for the fifth consecutive campaign thanks to their 2-0 away success at Argentinos Juniors: they made it 3-1 on aggregate. Last Saturday, coach Marcelo Gallardo fielded an alternative XI that lost 2-1 at Godoy Cruz. That defeat stopped their three-game unbeaten streak in all competitions (two victories and one draw) and also dropped them down to 12th spot in the league table on seven points in five rounds. On a sorry note, El Millonario won only one of their last five home matches, drawing two and losing two.
Meanwhile, Atletico Mineiro won on penalties after two hard-fought scoreless draws against Boca Juniors to reach the quarter-finals after five years of absence. The team also became Brazilian league leaders last Sunday, when beating Juventude 2-1 away to make it 34 points and leapfrog Palmeiras, who remain on 32 after losing to Fortaleza at home. O Galo suffered a single defeat across their last 12 competitive matches, winning nine and drawing two in regular time. On away turf, they won three and drew two of the last six.
River is as always a good attacking team that creates many chances, but they are a different team defensively and I think they can concede here against this solid brazilian side.
BET: OVER 2 @ 1.78