Botafogo vs Defensa y Justicia Predictions

Wednesday’s Copa Sudamericana first round, first leg clash sees Brazilians Botafogo going up against Argentines Defensa y Justicia. The visitors arrive in excellent condition and will be looking to secure a strong result ahead of the second leg.

It’s been a terrible start to 2019 for Botafogo and pressure is really on the side. Fans have been protesting against both the board and boss Ze Ricardo, enraged that their side failed to make it out of their Taça Guanabara group, taking just 4 points from 5 matches despite all but one of said games coming against lower league opposition.

Fogão really have been dreadful in the action we’ve seen so far this year and that has to be a huge concern coming into this game they’d be fancied to win in normal circumstances. The hosts put together a fairly sustained run in the Sudamericana last year, seeing off Audax Italiano and Nacional prior to defeat to Bahia in the round of 16, but it’s fair to say they don’t look like making it anywhere near as deep this time around unless immediate improvement is found.

Meanwhile, visitors Defensa couldn’t arrive in better condition. Despite being the smallest club in the Superliga Argentina, El Halcon have punched above their weight for numerous years and have stepped it up a notch this season, remaining unbeaten across 17 league matches and forming part of what now looks a two horse race to lift the title.

Defensa have been on fire in the action we’ve see so far in 2019, winning away at River Plate and San Martin de Tucuman, as well as at home to San Lorenzo and confidence is at peak levels. Defensa were eliminated from the Sudamericana last season at the quarter-final stage and on current form, it’d certainly be no surprise to see them go that far again this year, or even further.

Ultimately, whilst Botafogo are far more of a bigger name than Defensa, you have to have them down as the underdogs in this tie given the current form of the two. The hosts have been struggling against inferior, lower league opposition so far this year whereas the visitors look a well-oiled, winning machine.

As such, the price on offer for the visitors on the Draw No Bet line is one that simply has to be taken and we think Defensa can establish an advantage on Wednesday. They’re unbeaten in 11 matches, winning 8 times in the process and whilst at the very worst they shouldn’t lose the match, we believe they’ll take a 1-0 win home with them to Buenos Aires.