In the early hours of Wednesday morning, two heavyweights of South American football go head-to-head in the last 16 of the Copa Libertadores.
Brazilian club Corinthians welcome Argentine side Boca Juniors to Arena Corinthians as both teams aim to enhance their quarter-final hopes, with the second leg scheduled next week
🔜 ¡Próximo partido! ⚽ #Libertadores 🆚 Corinthians🗓 Martes 28/06🕘 21:30🏟 Arena Corinthians #DaleBoca 🔵🟡🔵 pic.twitter.com/lTh4k2HImb— Boca Juniors (@BocaJrsOficial) June 26, 2022
🔜 ¡Próximo partido! ⚽ #Libertadores 🆚 Corinthians🗓 Martes 28/06🕘 21:30🏟 Arena Corinthians #DaleBoca 🔵🟡🔵 pic.twitter.com/lTh4k2HImb
Can the hosts make the most of their home advantage? Or will the visitors gain a first-leg lead? Let’s take a closer look at both sides.
Funnily enough, Corinthians and Boca Juniors came through the same group before drawing each other in the round of 16.
Corinthians lost just one of their six group games, picking up two wins and three draws along the way. Consequently, they finished one point clear of third-place Deportivo Cali.
However, after registering three wins, one draw and two losses, Boca Juniors finished atop Group E – one point ahead of Corinthians.
Corinthians head into the first leg on a five-game unbeaten streak across all competitions, having notched three wins and two draws since their last loss.
When you look at the bigger picture, the Brazilians have lost just one of their previous 17 outings in all competitions.
It is also worth noting that Corinthians have kept a clean sheet in each of their past three games, as well as four of their previous five.
As for Boca Juniors, they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Union de Danta Fe last time out – meaning they have lost two of their last four games.
When you look at the broader picture, however, you will see that Boca have won six of their previous eight encounters across all competitions.
Having lost just two of their previous 14 matches in all competitions, Boca will be confident of frustrating Corinthians.
Head-to-head: Corinthians went unbeaten against Boca during the group stage, winning 2-0 at home before drawing 1-1 in Argentina.
Since 2012, Boca Juniors have only managed to win one of their six Copa Libertadores clashes against Corinthians.
Team news: Paulinho remains a long-term injury absentee for Corinthians, while Bruno Mendez will also miss the first leg.
Boca Juniors also have two injury absentees at the moment, with Norberto Briasco and Augustin Almendra out with ankle issues.
Although Boca are enjoying a positive run at the moment, there is no hiding the fact that Corinthians have dominated the Argentine side in recent years.
With that in mind, Forebet predicts that Corinthians will secure a low-scoring victory in the first leg – keeping a clean sheet in the process.