LDU Quito vs Boca Juniors Predictions

Wednesday’s Copa Libertadores quarter final, first leg clash sees Ecuadorians LDU Qutio doing battle with Argentines Boca Juniors at the Estadio de Liga Deportiva Universitaria. The hosts will be looking to secure an advantage to take with them into the return leg.

It’s fair to say even the most ardent of LDU Quito fans could hardly have predicted the side reaching this point of the Libertadores and no matter what happens from this point onwards, the side can consider their efforts a big success. The hosts did extremely well to advance from a group containing Flamengo, Penarol and San Jose and then showed they’re not here to merely making up the numbers in the latter stages of the competition, dispatching  a strong Olimpia side 4-2 on aggregate in the round of 16.

Though massive underdogs in this tie overall, LDU will be itching to try and make further waves and they at least stand a good chance in this first leg. Indeed, the side have won all 4 of their Libertadores home games so far this year and that’s without doubt helped by the fact they play at a gruelling altitude of over 2800 metres, providing gruelling conditions that visiting sides simply aren’t used to playing in.

As such, this clash will be by no means an easy one for Boca Juniors. After losing the Libertadores final to arch enemy River Plate last year, El Xeneize are targeting nothing less than the continental crown this year and have thus far met all expectations, advancing from a group containing Athletico PR, Deportes Tolima and Jorge Wilstermann, prior to eliminating Athletico PR in the round of 16.

Nonetheless, most of Boca’s continental success is typically built on their strong home form and they are far from a powerhouse on the road in the Libertadores, having won just 1 of their last 6 away games in it. With that in consideration, the visitors are likely to play in a fairly defensive manner on Wednesday, looking to stay in the tie prior to their home leg.

Ultimately, LDU know they will almost certainly lose when the sides meet in Buenos Aires and that makes Wednesday’s match a massive one for them. They have to make their home advantage count and with altitude on their side, they look well placed to do exactly that.

All things considered, backing the hosts on the Draw No Bet line looks the best way to play as far as the betting is concerned and is exactly where our money is going. The Ecuadorians have already defeated some powerful opponents with the crowd behind them this year and we think they can claim another scalp here, with a 1-0 margin of home victory on the cards.