Fortaleza vs Independiente Predictions

• Fortaleza are unbeaten in 9 home games, winning 7 times in the process.
• During said run, they’ve scored an average of 2.33 goals a game.
• Independiente have won just 1 of their last 6 away games.
• Independiente have failed to score once during their last 3 outings on the road.

Fortaleza looking to come from behind

Fortaleza put in a spirited effort in what was their first ever continental match in Buenos Aires during the first leg of this clash; rather unfortunately going down 1-0 losers. However, it’s not plaudits Tricolor are looking for and they’ll be hungry to cause what would be a small upset on paper by turning the deficit around on Friday.

Confidence can certainly be high heading into the clash, given Rogerio Ceni’s troops excellent record in front of the home crowd. Indeed, going back to the end of last term, the hosts are unbeaten in an impressive 9 home outings, winning 7 times and scoring an average of 2.33 goals a game in the process.

Independiente arrive under big pressure

Meanwhile, whilst Independiente will be happy to have established an advantage in the first leg, they’ve still left themselves with a lot of work to do on Brazilian soil. Defeat would see the pressure really turn up on El Rojo and they can ill-afford to crash out of the competition they won in 2017.

Currently 15th in the Superliga Argentina with 2 matches left to run, Independiente have put in a very poor campaign and simply haven’t met expectations. Their fans are protesting against the board and players and with just 1 win from their last 6 away games and having failed to even so much as score in their last 3 on the road, their prospects don’t look the brightest heading into this game.

The tie looks to be far from over

Ultimately, Fortaleza will fancy their chances of coming from behind in front of what should be a huge home crowd. They were unlucky to lose the first leg having missed some big chances but if they meet their usual standards on their own patch, they’ll have enough to claim victory.

All things considered, backing a home win looks the way to play as far as the betting is concerned and is something we’re more than happy to do. Arriving off the back of a 1-0 home defeat to Gimnasia, Independiente are low on confidence and don’t look like holding on to their advantage, with a 1-0 margin of home victory that would force penalties well on the cards.