Defensa y Justicia vs Junior Predictions

Friday’s Copa Sudamericana quarter final, second leg action sees Argentines Defensa y Justicia doing battle with Colombians Junior. It’s the hosts who have it all to do after losing the first leg 2-0.

Defensa’s defeat in Colombia was their first disappointing showing in a long time and those taking to the field will be looking to make up for it with a strong showing on Friday. Despite being one of, if not the, smallest club in the Argentine top flight, El Halcon have punched above their weight year after year and currently find themselves 3rd on the domestic front and still with a small chance of reaching a continental semi-final here.

Having won 5 of their last 6 outings, all of which to nil, Defensa certainly bring plenty of momentum with them into the clash, irrespective of their first leg defeat and will still be quietly confident in mounting a comeback. There aren’t many teams in South America you’d give much of a hope of coming back from the scoreline the tie is at, but Sebastián Beccacece’s troops are capable of playing high intensity, attacking football and can be an extremely potent outfit if they find their rhythm.

Meanwhile, visitors Junior have done everything right up until this point but cannot afford to travel to the Argentine capital thinking the job is done. Los Tiburones are in good shape themselves, having lost just 1 of their last 11 matches and eliminating a third Argentine side from the Sudamericana this year is now the only target, having already seen off Lanus and Colon to reach this point.

Nonetheless, Junior’s away form does have to be a concern ahead of kick off and Julio Comesaña’s men can hardly be regarded as a powerful force on their travels. All in all, the visitors have not won any of their last 8 away games and having lost half of those, improvement is going to have to be found if they are to hang onto their lead.

Ultimately, both teams are fairly impressive outfits and are playing some good football at the moment but with the crowd behind them and Junior’s relatively poor away from home, we simply cannot rule a Defensa comeback out of the equation.

The Argentines were well below their usual standard in the first leg, but we’re likely to see a much improved showing from them on Friday and at current prices, we’re more than happy to back a home win with maximum confidence. Junior’s away record doesn’t inspire any kind of confidence and we think the tie could well be settled from the spot after a 2-0 Defensa win in normal time.