Banfield vs Boston River Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Thursday’s Copa Sudamericana second round, second leg action sees Argentines Banfield facing off with Uruguayans Boston River. The hosts will be desperate to overturn the 1-0 defeat they suffered in the first leg in order to avoid what would be an embarrassing continental exit.

Banfield didn’t play terribly in the first leg of the tie but were unable to get the result they wanted, falling to defeat in Montevideo last week. Nonetheless, back on a home soil they tend to be fairly strong on, all hope is not lost but there can be no doubting El Taladro will have to improve on what they’ve producing since the off-season break.

Indeed, prior to travelling to Uruguay, Banfield were eliminated by minnows General Lamadrid in the Argentine Cup and now back on home soil for the first time since the start of May, they’ll be looking to please a crowd that is not in the greatest of spirits at this moment in time. History is certainly on the host’s side, unbeaten in 6 Sudamericana home matches and that’s a streak that looks like continuing, considering the shape the visitors arrive in.

Boston’s win over Banfield was a rare bright spot in their otherwise miserable year. The Uruguayans have now lost 10 of their last 16 outings overall, finishing bottom of their group in the intermediate phase of league action as well as losing both of their opening fixtures of the closing stage, leaving them in danger of being dragged into a relegation dogfight.

Boston’s squad does not look a strong one and it was highly surprising to see them triumph in the game between the two last week, but with the lead so slender, it would take a brave man to back Boston holding on. There can be very little confidence in visiting ranks ahead of the trip to Buenos Aires, having lost 4 away games on the bounce and 7 of the last 8 overall but those that take to the field will be looking to cause a major upset all the same.

Ultimately though, we simply cannot see them doing that and Banfield should be able to fight back and secure their place in the next round. Whilst they’ve been struggling to get going in their last couple of outings with their own domestic season yet to start, they are a far stronger outfit than Boston on paper and are likely to assert their superiority with the backing of the Estadio Florencio Sola crowd.

The bet that really stands out for us is backing the Argentines to win to nil. Boston are expected to show very little attacking intention as they try to hang on, and having lost 3 of their last 4 away games to nil, it’s a bet that really appeals. Banfield have more than enough about them to get the job done and we fancy them to secure a 2-0 win to turn the contest on its head.