Fluminense vs CD Antofagasta Predictions

Wednesday’s Copa Sudamericana first round, first leg clash sees Brazilians Fluminense doing battle with Chileans Deportivo Antofagasta at the Maracana. The hosts arrive as big favourites to advance from the tie and will be looking to stamp their authority over it with a good performance on home soil.

Fluminense have become Sudamericana regulars in recent years, reaching the semi final last year and the quarter final the year before and Tuesday’s game marks the start of a new continental campaign. Coming into the competition, Fluminense are one of the main runners to lift it and this is a tie they are expected to win with very few, if any, issues.

In good form, having won 3 of their last 4 games, without conceding a goal in any of said wins, Fluminense arrive in good spirits and confidence is high coming into this match as a result. Having also won 6 of their last 9 Copa Sudamericana home games to nil during their recent partcipations, the host’s prospects of winning on the night without conceding an all important away goal certainly seem bright.

Meanwhile, it’s a massive night for Deportivo Antofagasta, who make their first ever appearance in the continental competition. Far from a big hitter and traditionally a side that has bounced between the Chilean first and second tier, Wednesday’s game marks a historic period in the club’s history.

Nonetheless, the visitors have to consider themselves extremely unlucky as regards the draw and they now face an uphill battle against an opponent of real quality. Having lost 2 of their last 3 games, Antofagasta don’t have any real momentum behind them and it’s fair to say they look like facing an uphill battle on Wednesday.

Ultimately, this is a match and tie Fluminense really should be winning with the quality at their disposal. The Brazilians are expected to go far in the competition once again this year and whilst Antofagasta arrive highly motivated to make an impression, the hosts are by far the stronger side on paper.

Best value as far as the betting goes is to be found on the home win to nil and at current prices, that’s exactly where our money is going. Antofagasta will likely bring an extremely defensive gameplan, with staying in the tie their priority and with Fluminense in good defensive shape, a 2-0 margin of home victory could well be on the cards.