Velez Sarsfield vs River Plate
Velez Sarsfield vs River Plate – Velez Sarsfield meet River Plate in a Copa Libertadores last-16 opening leg on Wednesday. Julio Vaccari’s team finished second in Group C to advance, while the visitors topped Group F.
The hosts won two, drew two, and lost two of their six group matches to proceed to the knockout rounds, which was completed on the sixth matchday with a 4-0 triumph over group winners Estudiantes.
Vaccari’s squad has only won one of four Argentine Primera Division matches since reaching the final 16 of the Copa Libertadores in 2021, where they were eliminated by Barcelona SC. Since 2012, the one-time winners have not moved further.
Nicolas Garayalde’s 90th-minute goal cancelled out Nicolas Fernandez’s 88th-minute opener for Velez. The hosts led their Copa Libertadores group in scoring (12) and conceding (11).
Velez Sarsfield vs River Plate – Betting Analysis
River Plate’s path to the Copa Libertadores final rounds was as expected. The four-time champions scored 18 goals, surrendered 3 and dropped just 2 points.
Marcelo Gallardo’s squad is one of three to reach the final 16 without a loss, along with Palmeiras and Flamengo. With just three goals conceded, they have the joint-best defensive record in the tournament.
Back-to-back wins in the Argentine top division was just what River Plate needed before Wednesday’s duel. They beat River Lanus 2-1 at the weekend and finished the game two men up after Lanus sent off Matias Perez and Braian Aguirre.
Julian Alvarez scored six of River Plate’s eight goals in an 8-1 win over Club Alianza Lima in the Copa Libertadores group stage. River Plate won the Copa Libertadores in 2018, but Velez Sarsfield won 2-0 in August.
Velez Sarsfield vs River Plate – Head -to- Head
Our Prediction: Over 1.5 Goals
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