Chapecoense vs Lanus Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Chapecoense made an excellent start in their new continental quest, picking up three points from a tricky away tie in Venezuela against Zulia.  It was a fair result, Chape were the better side and barring a late wave of home attack, were never really under too much pressure. It was an all the more impressive performance when you consider that the squad has not been together for very long.

Such an organised performance was further evidence that Chape’s squad is already gelling.  In their first games together results were poor but they are looking stronger with every passing game, now unbeaten in 7 over domestic and continental football. Most of the starters for the game here will be fresh, given a heavily rotated squad was fielded in the weekend’s draw with Internacional SC.

For Lanus this game is already looking like a massive occasion. That’s because of last week’s opening game defeat at home to Uruguayan’s Nacional. They were perhaps a bit unfortunate to lose, given the Nacional goal was clearly offside, but it was still a concerning performance as they struggled to break down a stubborn visiting side. Lose again here, and they will probably find themselves 6 points adrift of qualifying already.

On paper the Lanus squad is very strong and contains some fantastic attacking talent, but that simply didn’t show last week. Manager Jorge Almiron rested his starter for the weekend’s clash with Racing, and was punished for said rotation, with a 3-0 loss. With the side sat 8 points beyond leaders Boca, a title defence looks unlikely, meaning all their eggs go into the Libertadores basket.

This should be a good game.  Arena Condá is sure to be rocking with this, the first real game of prestige since last year’s tragic accident. If Chapecoense can pick up a win here they have one foot in the last 16. The side is in good form at the moment, but if Lanus turn up they will represent a big step up in quality.

That’s something we can see them doing. They need to desperately take something here. The side normally enjoys big games, having won last year’s title decider 4-0 against San Lorenzo, as well as dismantling River Plate 3-0 in the Super Cup final.

We like the look of both teams finding the net. Both sides should be looking to play on the front foot, Chape with the backing of a raucous home crowd, and Lanus with the threat of near elimination. Both sides contain strong attacking players that can hurt the other. 4 of Chape’s last 6 home games have seen both nets being found, and prior to Lanus’ heavily rotated squad’s defeat at the weekend to Racing, so had their last 5 from 6 competitive away games. Overall we see the spoils being shared, in a 1-1 draw.