Cruzeiro vs Boca Juniors Predictions

Friday’s Copa Libertadores quarter final, second leg action sees Brazilians Cruzeiro and Argentines Boca Juniors doing battle once again in what’s expected to be a heated clash. It’s the hosts with it all to do after losing the first leg 2-0.

Cruzeiro will take to the field on Friday fuelled by a sense of injustice. Centre back Dede was controversially dismissed via VAR in the first leg and whilst he’s available to play in this second leg after having his suspension overturned, his absence for the last 15 minutes in Buenos Aires provided Boca with the platform to add a second goal and thus bring a healthy looking advantage to Brazil.

In the aftermath of the second leg, all manner of anger has been coming out of their Cruzeiro camp and we’re likely to see a highly motivated performance from them. Full back Egidio has already set the climate of the match before it’s even begun, stating that Cruzeiro “will put four past Boca” and whilst he’s likely to be incorrect in said declaration, the fact that Cruzeiro have won 17 of their 28 home games in 2018 and are traditionally very strong on their own patch does suggest the tie is far from over.

Meanwhile, Boca arrive under quite a bit of pressure, with boss Guillermo Barros Schelotto knowing he is likely to lose his job should the side through away their lead. As crazy as it sounds, given that El Xeneize have been domestic champions two years in a row, fans have long been frustrated by the style of football the team plays and having recently been outplayed by arch rivals River in a 2-0 home defeat as well as crashing out of the Copa Argentina, the visitors are under fire and questions are being asked of them.

Boca did manage to return to winning ways over the weekend, seeing off Colon 3-1 on home soil but their can be little denying their last couple of performances have been concerning. Against Colon they weren’t the most convincing despite the scoreline and were far worse in the two games contested prior to that one, so they’re going to have to step things up if they are to hang onto their advantage.

Ultimately, we don’t have this tie down as being over and believe Cruzeiro have the tools to threaten to come back. They possess some excellent attacking players and set to play on the front foot throughout, it remains to be seen if Boca can step up to the challenge.

At current odds, we really like the look of backing a Cruzeiro win and feel it provides good value. Confidence is not particularly high in Boca ranks right now and with an extremely hostile environment set to greet them, it’s not hard to envisage them crumbling. All things considered, the side that advances to the semi-finals may have to be decided from the spot, with a 2-0 margin of Cruzeiro victory on the cards.