River Plate (URU) vs Colon Predictions

Tuesday’s Copa Sudamericana second round, first leg action sees Uruguayans River Plate doing battle with Argentines Colon de Santa Fe. The visitors will be hoping to stamp their authority on a tie which they are expected to win comfortably over two legs.

It’s fair to say River Plate didn’t come into the Copa Sudamericana with great hopes of a sustained run in it. Unlikely their Argentine namesakes, the Uruguayans are far from a big name, even in their own domestic game and with little resource, are underdogs on the continental stage.

Nonetheless, the hosts somehow managed to eliminate Brazilian powerhouse Santos in the first round, advancing on away goals after a 1-1 aggregate draw and will now be looking to make further waves by seeing off Colon. However, having won just 1 of their last 7 games, confidence isn’t high in River ranks and the side aren’t having a good season overall, currently stationed in 13th place in the Uruguayan top flight.

Meanwhile, Colon put in a miserable domestic campaign, finishing 24th in the Argentine Superliga; a showing well below where they should be, taking into account the undoubted quality they have. It’s now up to new boss Pablo Lavallen to try and get the best out of the Santafesinos and a win in this tie would certainly improve spirits at the club.

Colon haven’t been in action since a comfortable cup win over Acassuso last month, so have had plenty of time to prepare for this game as they aim to build on an impressive 5-0 aggregate win over Peruvians Deportivo Municipal in the first round of the competition. Having won 3 of their last 4 Sudamericana away games, the visitors certainly have no reason to be fearful going into Tuesday’s game and are expected to bring an attacking game plan to the table.

Ultimately, Colon are big favourites in this game and tie overall, and not without reason. Man for man, they are by far a stronger outfit than a River Plate side that isn’t pulling up any trees in a fairly weak Uruguayan league.

All things considered, we feel that backing a Colon win in this game is the best way to play as far as the betting is concerned and that’s exactly where our money is going. They are typically strong on the road in the Sudamericana and with River in far from convincing form, a 1-0 margin of away victory could be on the cards.