Junior vs Carabobo Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Junior did what was expected of them last week as they picked up a first leg win against Carabobo in this Copa Libertadores qualifier. This puts them a step closer to the group stages in the competitions, and a draw or more on Tuesday night will be enough to send them through to the next qualifying round.

The only goal of the game came courtesy of midfielder Robinson Aponza Carabali in the 32nd minute, and it has put Junior in a very good position as they take part in their first Copa Libertadores clash since 2012.

Despite a long absence from the competition, Junior were showing signs of resurgence a couple of years ago as they qualified for the Copa Sudamerica, and an excellent end of season push from them last season saw them claim 5th spot in the Colombian Primera A. They also made it to the Copa Sudamerica quarter finals last season, so it has been a promising couple of years for Junior.

At home they proved themselves to be formidable adversaries towards the end of last season as they won four of their final five matches, and their home record in the Copa Libertadores isn’t to be ignored either. They have lost just twice at home in the competition, winning six and drawing four.

Carabobo ended last season in poor form as they won one, drew two, and lost three of their final six matches, and the new campaign hasn’t started off any better with that defeat at home to Junior last week. They did still managed to lift the Venezuelan Primera Division last season, but their poor end to the season almost put that league win in jeopardy.

Junior may have been absent for a while in this tournament, but Carabobo’s history is an even more chequered one. This is their first Copa Libertadores campaign since 1974, and their most recent continental appearance was a 2007 Copa Sudamerica campaign. They have never made it past the second qualification round in these tournaments.

Carabobo will have to go for it here, but they have failed to score in three of their last four away games in all competitions and didn’t look very threatening last week either. I think Junior will be keeping it tight at the back here and their overall quality advantage means they should be able to snatch a goal or two at the other end in front of their own fans. Carabobo have failed to score in five of their last seven games as well, so backing Junior to Win to Nil at 21/20 looks a good choice here. I’m going for another 1-0 correct score predictions at 15/4 as well.