Defensa y Justicia vs Banfield Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Tuesday’s Copa Sudamericana round of 16, first leg clash features an all Argentine clash between close neighbours Defensa y Justicia and Banfield. The hosts will be looking to take full advantage of the visitor’s terrible away form in order to establish an advantage.

Host Defensa, one of the smallest clubs in Argentina’s top flight, are continuing to punch well above their weight and will be looking do exactly that by advancing through another round of the Sudamericana. El Halcon famously knocked out Sao Paulo in last year’s edition of the competition before going out to Chapecoense, but having seen off America de Cali and El Nacional so far this year, they’re well on the way towards a deep continental run.

Defensa boss Sebastián Beccacece, who has recently returned for a second stint at the club after previously departing to become Jorge Sampaoli’s assistant with the Argentine national team, rested several key players in the weekend’s draw with Atletico Tucuman. As such, those that take to the field will be fairly well rested and looking to build on a strong home record that reads 4 wins from the last 5 games.

Meanwhile, Banfield were at full strength for their weekend clash with Gimnasia de la Plata and picked up the 3 points with a 1-0 win. El Taladro came into the Sudamericana in the previous round to this one and whilst they weren’t convincing in their tie with Uruguayan minnows Boston River, they managed to overturn a 1-0 defeat on the road with a 2-0 home triumph.

Nonetheless, the aforementioned defeat on Uruguayan soil ranks as just another example of Banfield’s away day issues. Overall, the side have not won any of their last 6 away games, failing to score in the last 5 as well as losing 3 of the last, statistics that have their prospects looking bleak for this match, to say the very least.

Ultimately, whilst this is a pretty tough tie to call over two legs, things look far clearer taking this is a one off fixture. Defensa are quite a powerful force at their Estadio Norberto “Tito” Tomaghello home, whilst Banfield are very weak on their travels, so backing Defensa to win looks the way to play and is exactly where our money is going.

As for the scoreline itself, backing a 1-0 Defensa win also looks a good idea. Defensa have kept a clean sheet in 3 of their last 4 Copa Sudamericana home games and with Banfield having lost 3 of their last 4 away matches by a 1-0 margin, it looks by far the most likely full time score.