With the domestic football season in the UK all but over it is time to turn our attention elsewhere. In South America, the Copa Libertadores has reached the quarter-final stage and there are plenty of big names left in it. Boca Juniors and Santos are in action on Thursday night/Friday morning as we look ahead to what should be two corking quarters.
For those unfamiliar with the Copa, it is basically the South American equivalent of the Champions League, with 32 teams split into eight groups from which the top two advance. This year has already seen some big name casualties, with Brazilian giants Flamengo and last year’s finalists Penarol having made early exits.
The first legs of two quarter-finals have already taken place with both matches finishing in draws. The all Brazilian affair between Vasco de Gama and Corinthians ended goalless in Rio de Janeiro with the weather hampering both teams.
The second quarter saw Universidad Chile grab a 1-1 draw away from home against Paraguay’s Libertad. The next two matches are also likely to be cagey but more intriguing for the neutral.
Boca Juniors v Fluminense 11.45pm BST
These two giants of Brazilian and Argentinian football respectively meet at La Bombonera in the first leg of their clash on Thursday night in what should be the more intriguing off the two quarter finals. Boca and Fluminense were in the same group together this year – the Rio outfit winning five of their six matches as they finished in top spot.
Fluminense won in Buenos Aires but Boca got their revenge by defeating Abel Braga’s team on their own patch. While it’s tough to judge Fluminense’s form outside of the Libertadores as they are still going through the regional competitions in Brazil, they are unbeaten in five on their travels. However, they will be without some big name players against Boca, with Wellington, Fred, Deco, Diguinho and Valencia all out.
Boca have injury problems of their own, although not as extensive, with Pablo Ledesma, Leandro Somoza and Santiago Silva all absent. Los Xeneizes have been good at home recently but were frustrated by Velez Sarsfield on Sunday and will need to up their ideas if they are to break down Fluminense.
The Chocolate Box is bound to be bouncing on Thursday and Boca should have the edge, though, in a tight first leg given all Fluminense’s injury problems.
Boca are 7/10 for the win, with the draw priced at 23/10 and Fluminense 18/5.
Velez Sarsfield v Santos 2am BST
As defending champions and with Brazilian superstar Neymar flying right now, Santos should cruise through this quarter-final tie, especially with the second leg at home.
While the Sao Paulo outfit lost the first leg of their last-16 tie with Bolivar 2-1, they did show their class with an 8-0 win at home in the second leg.
Santos look more tactical astute than they were this time 12 months ago, their mauling at the hands of Barcelona in the Club World Cup obviously taught them a valuable lesson. The Peixe are far from just a one man team either, with Alan Kardec, Arouca and Elano all threats.
Standing in their way are Velez, the winner’s of last year’s Clasura in Argentina. The Buenos Aires outfit have made a strong start to the season and are currently five points off top spot in their domestic leage.
However, it has been Velez’s away form which have served them well recently and at El Fortín they are winless in the last seven.
As a result, Santos to win the first leg at 9/5 could be the way to go, with Velez 13/10 and the draw 21/10.
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