Prediction: Nacional vs Boca Juniors

Verdict: Boca Juniors double chance

Best Odds: 8/15

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Two sides who will get their Copa Libertadores knockout stage adventure underway in the early hours of Thursday, Boca Juniors will travel out to Uruguay when they meet Nacional.

Nacional

Starting with the hosts, immediately reclaiming their Primera Division crown last season and enjoying another domestic romp, Nacional have their sights set on mounting a late Copa Libertadores charge in 2023. Making an immediate return to winning ways last time out as they claimed a gritty 1-0 victory at home against Cerro Largo, the Bolso could be smelling the chance to make a first-leg statement at the Gran Parque Central in midweek. Eventually punching their knockout stage ticket following a crucial 1-0 victory against Venezuelan outfit Metropolitanos, Alvaro Gutierrez will now be hoping for his side to find some recent stability. Winning just a trio of their previous 10 appearances across all competitions – a run that stems all the way back to May 14th – Nacional have also failed to muster back-to-back wins since the end of April. However, still holding a reputation for their continued success on home soil, Gutierrez’s will be excited to make a return to Montevideo in the early hours of Thursday.

Team News

Ahead of their opening Copa Libertadores knockout stage showdown in midweek, Nacional have reported a clean bill of health and have no fresh injury concerns to worry about.

Arguably Gutierrez’s standout performer this season after notching 12 goals across all competitions, former Uruguayan youth international Ignacio Ramirez will spearhead the Bolso’s charge here.

Boca Juniors

As for the visitors, last seen putting in another eye-catching performance as they claimed a 2-0 victory away at Independiente, Boca Juniors are riding what has been a stellar wave of momentum. Only continuing to shine since returning from June’s international break, Jorge Almiron’s side should find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. In fact, with their stellar purple patch underlined by a lively 2-1 win away at Barracas Central, the Argentinian icons have now won each of their last five appearances by an aggregate score of 10-3. Gaining a reputation for their free-scoring performances in the final third, it should also be noted that the Buenos Aires-based heavyweights are unbeaten in each of their previous eight appearances across all competitions. Excited to turn their attention back to Copa Libertadores duties in the early hours of Thursday, it is also worth highlighting that the former Elche boss has seen his high-flying squad enjoy a three-match winning run away from La Bombonera.

Team News

All still dealing with extended injury issues, Boca will travel out to Uruguay in midweek without the trio fo Gonzalo Morales, Luca Langoni and Gabriel Aranda.

Making the move from Valencia this week, it remains to be seen if former Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani will play any part in the early hours of Thursday.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last met on Copa Libertadores duties back in May 2016, Boca Juniors picked up a 3-2 aggregate victory.
• Thursday’s guests have won each of their previous five appearances by an aggregate score of 10-3.
• Likewise, the Argentinian heavyweights have also recorded three straight victories on the road for the first time this season.
• Nacional have managed to muster just a trio of wins from any of their last 10 appearances across all competitions.
• The Bolso have seen four of their previous five Copa Libertadores home fixtures finish with over 1.5 goals.

Conclusion

Breezing their way to the Copa Libertadores knockout stage without breaking much of a sweat, Boca Juniors are certainly enjoying an extended purple patch. Picking up some perfect momentum last weekend as they claimed a dominant 2-0 victory away at Independiente, Almiron’s men have won each of their last five appearances across all competitions and have also gained a recent reputation for their success on the road. Recording three straight victories away from La Bombonera, the Argentinian heavyweights will be smelling the chance to make an early statement here. While Boca might face a rugged test when they travel out to Uruguay in midweek, we are backing an away double chance in the early hours of Thursday.

Verdict: Boca Juniors double chance

Best Odds: 8/15

Bookmaker: Olympusbet