Emelec vs CD Lara Predictions

Friday’s Copa Libertadores action sees Ecuadorians Emelec doing battle with Venezuelans Deportivo Lara. The hosts will be looking to secure all three points in what is a crunch clash.

It certainly feels like a do or die game for Emelec, with nothing but a win of any use to them. The side thus far have 2 points after 3 group matches, putting them 2 points behind Lara in the race to finish in 2nd place, with Cruzeiro already home and hosed in top spot. As such, dropping points in Friday’s game is simply not an option and would all but eliminate the hosts.

Emelec have been competitive in the competition so far and have certainly improved on their efforts last season but fans are expecting them to advance to the last 16 this time around and thus, the hosts arrive extremely motivated on Friday. 3 wins from the last 5 at home makes for fairly good reading for the hosts and those taking to the pitch will be desperate to build upon that sequence.

Meanwhile, Deportivo Lara have thus far defied the odds to take up 2nd place in a group they were expected to finish bottom of. Coming from a Venezuelan game that ranks as the weakest on the continent and plagued by difficulties due to the ongoing crisis in the nation, the side have done fantastically well to be where they are and to have amassed 4 points.

Nonetheless, Lara’s away record is very poor and given they’ve got two away games left to play, they’ll still do well to advance. They’ve lost 5 of their last 6 Copa Libertadores away games, all of which to nil, and having failed to score in 4 of their last 6 away games overall, their prospects don’t look the brightest coming into this trip.

Ultimately, this is a game Emelec really need to win and they certainly should be able to. Lara have performed above expectations in the competition so far, but man for man, they’re still a weaker side than Emelec on paper and it’s now up to the home side to prove that on the pitch.

We fancy Emelec to win this one and as far as the betting goes, backing them to win to nil looks the best way to play. Lara will look to shut up shop and are not likely to pose any kind of attacking threat and whilst it’s likely to be a tight game given what’s at stake, the hosts should have enough quality to edge out a 1-0 win.