Progreso vs Barcelona Guayaquil Predictions

• Both teams have scored in 4 of Progreso’s last 7 home games.
• Progreso were the third highest scorers in the closing phase of last year’s Uruguayan top flight, scoring 22 times in 15 matches.
• Both teams have scored in 4 of Barcelona’s last 7 away games.

Progreso looking to cause an upset

Back in the Copa Libertadores for the first time since 1990, Thursday is a big night for Uruguayans Progreso. Far from a powerhouse even at domestic level, the hosts will be looking to cause an upset and establish a lead to take with them into an incredibly difficult second leg almost everybody is expecting them to lose.

It’ll be a tough ask and Progreso are highly unlikely to win the tie over two legs, but the hosts will at least be confident of giving Barcelona something to think about in this home leg. Indeed, having finished 3rd in the closing phase of last season’s Uruguyan top flight, Progreso clearly have something about them despite their small size and will be looking to play on the front foot in front of the home crowd this Thursday.

Barcelona aiming to impose themselves on the tie

Meanwhile, having missed out on the Libertadores all together last season, Barcelona this time enter at the very first round and will be hungry to reach the group stage proper. As far as draws go, the Ecuadorians can have no real complaints about the first round tie they’ve been handed and over two legs, they should be able to dispatch of Progreso.

Indeed, Barcelona have far greater resources than the Uruguayans and on paper, are clearly the stronger outfit of the two. Nonetheless, having ended 2019 with just 1 win from 6 outings, the visitors cannot afford any hangover in the Uruguayan capital on Thursday; in what is their first competitive match of the year.

Plenty of action is expected

Ultimately, although continental matches in South America tend to be tight affairs, this one certainly appears one that could buck the trend. As hosts and with almost no chance of securing a result in Ecuador, Progreso simply have to play for the win whereas Barcelona will also be looking to play in an aggressive manner in order to impose their superior quality on the tie.

All things considered, we see good value in backing the Both Teams to Score line and feel it provides the best way to play as far as the betting is concerned. Both nets have been hit in 4 of Progreso’s last 7 home games, as well in 4 of Barcelona’s last 7 away games and we think both themes could well continue in a closely fought 1-1 draw.