Deportes Tolima vs Boca Juniors Predictions

Thursday’s Copa Libertadores group stage action sees Colombians Deportes Tolima doing battle with Argentines Boca Juniors. An open and exciting 90 minutes are expected to be in order.

Hosts Tolima kicked off their Libertadores in excellent fashion, recording a home win over Athletico PR, but things have gone downhill since then, with the side having taken just 1 point from their next 3 games, 3 points behind Boca, who currently occupy 2nd place, Thursday’s game is a real make or break game for the hosts, with nothing but a win of any use to their hopes of progressing into the last 16.

Realistically, it was always going to be a tall order for Tolima to advance, but Alberto Gamero’s men are still at least in with a chance and will be doing everything to try and cause an upset on Thursday. Currently 2nd in the Colombian top flight, the side are having quite a strong year thus far and undoubtedly have the quality of players to at least give the visitors something to think about.

Meanwhile, after losing the Libertadores final to arch rivals River last year, Boca are expected to make another strong run in the competition, but for now, Gustavo Alfaro’s men can only focus on making it into the last 16. With 7 points, Boca are in a good position but are far from home and hosed, meaning they need to try and secure a good result in this game.

Having won their last 2 matches, El Xeneize arrive with plenty of momentum behind them but will have to play better on Thursday than they did in their last Libertadores away game, in which they were hammered 3-0 by Atheltico PR. Nonetheless, with that defeat ranking as their only one in 12 away matches, the visitors clearly have the ability to secure results on the road and that leaves their prospects looking pretty bright coming into this game.

Ultimately, we’re expecting a very open and entertaining game here. Both teams typically play in expansive manners and with Tolima having no choice but to attack and Boca possessing a team jam-packed full of attacking threats, we shouldn’t be short on goals on Thursday.

All things considered, backing both teams to score looks an excellent way to play as far as the betting goes and is something we’re more than happy to do. 3 of Tolima’s last 4 home games have featured goals at both ends, as have 5 of Boca’s last 7 Libertadores away games and both sequences could well be built upon in a 2-2 draw.