Boca Juniors (Argentina) – Fortaleza (Brazil)

Boca Juniors are still alive in the Copa Sudamericana thanks to a hard-fought 2-1 away success against Sportivo Trinidense at Cerro Porteno, with Edinson Cavani netting the winner in the 92nd minute. El Xeneize made it seven points in four matches to occupy second spot in group D, trailing leaders Fortaleza EC by two. On Sunday, El Xeneize lost 1-0 away at Atletico Tucuman in the Liga Profesional opener, which means the team won only one of their last four competitive matches, drawing one and losing two in regular time. At home, Boca are unbeaten in the last 11 (eight victories and three draws since losing to River Plate 2-0 in October 2023.

Fortaleza EC saw their perfect run in the Copa Sudamericana coming to an end last time out, when they succumbed to a surprising 4-1 away defeat to Bolivian side Nacional Potosi. O Leao remain as group D leaders on nine points, two above Boca Juniors. On Sunday, they settled for a 1-1 home stalemate against Botafogo FR to make it seven points in five rounds, still occupying one of the Copa Sudamericana berths in the aggregate table. Fortaleza are winless in their last five in all competitions, drawing four and losing one, while they claimed a single victory across the last four on the road, along with one draw and two defeats in regular time.

Boca has been nothing but disappointing lately: eliminated of Copa de la Liga in semifinals, they had to fight until the last minute to win in Sudamericana last week, and lost against a the weak Atletico Tucuman in the first round of the Liga Profesional. They must win here or they will be playing for the 2nd place of the group, but considering how unreliable they’ve been lately I think they could suffer with Fortaleza’s fast attack like they did at Brazil when they lost 4-2 just a few weeks ago, I’ll trust the visitors to at least hold to the draw they need to stay at the top of the group.

BET: Fortaleza +0.5 @ 1.93