Barcelona Guayaquil vs Progreso Predictions

• Barcelona have won 13 of their last 18 home matches.
• Said fixtures have featured an average of 2.77 goals a game.
• Progreso have scored at least once in 10 consecutive away games.
• Progreso’s last 4 away games have featured Over 2.5 goals.

Barcelona in the driving seat

Whilst they came into this tie as big favourites and are expecting to reach the group stages of the Libertadores as a bare minimum, Barcelona can still be happy with their work in the first leg. Indeed, the Ecuadorians travelled to Uruguay and put in an excellent performance; exerting their superior quality to run out 2-0 winners on the night.

That leaves Barcelona in clear command over the tie and though they cannot afford to put their feet up, they shouldn’t be having any issues in advancing, having already done the hard part. With 13 wins from their last 18 home games behind them, the hosts are strong on their own patch and that leaves their prospects looking bright coming into this game.

Progreso looking for unlikely comeback

Meanwhile, Progreso let the occasion get to them last week in what was their first Libertadores game since 1990. To have any real chance of causing an upset in this clash, they needed to make home advantage count in the first leg and having failed to have done so, they now face a huge task as regards turning things around. 

Nonetheless, Progreso won’t be giving up on their continental dream and all they can try to do now is put together an aggressive, attacking performance in Guayaquil. Having notched in 10 straight away games, the visitors can certainly be confident of getting themselves on the score sheet but issues are more likely to come in keeping Barcelona out.

Barcelona clear favourites; but an open game is expected

Ultimately, whilst it’s clear for all to see that Barcelona are big favourites to win this match, it should be a fairly open game and we do expect Progreso to give it a good go. Barcelona will be looking to advance in style in front of the home crowd, whereas Progreso have no option but to pile forward from the off and said dynamics should lead to an exciting watch.

As such, we see good value in backing the Over 2.5 Total Goals line and feel it’s the best way to play as far as the betting is concerned. Barcelona’s last 18 home fixtures have featured an average of 2.77 goals a game and we fancy that theme to continue in a 2-1 home win. Progreso are highly unlikely to stage a comeback but we do think they’ll crash out with a consolation goal to their name.