Always Ready vs Deportes Magallanes Prediction & Betting Tips - Copa Libertadores

Prediction published on 01/03/2023, 13:38  by Kennedy Kechula in Copa Libertadores Predictions

Bolivia’s Always Ready will attempt to offset their first leg 3-0 loss to Deportes Magallanes when they host the Chilean side in the return leg of their Copa Libertadores qualifier on Friday. Always Ready need to win by four goals without reply to progress to the final round of qualifying. The loss was Pablo Godoy’s men’s heaviest of the new season and could have all but ended their short stint in South America’s premier club competition for this season. After playing three away matches across all competitions, La Banda Roja will be glad to be back in front of home support where they have already produced a huge win. They beat Libertad Gran Mamore 5-0 on matchday two in the league and will hope for the same output against Magallanes. Dorny Romero scored twice in the game and has now scored three goals in four matches this season and will be key towards their success on Friday. Always Ready have scored four or more goals twice this season so it isn’t beyond their reach. They could be without Denilson Valda for this one after the defender was withdrawn with an injury in the latter stages of the first-leg match. They could however hand a debut to former English Premier League player Wilfried Bony and boost their attacking options. Bony joined the team at the start of this season.

Deportes Magallanes are making their first appearance in 38 years in the Copa Libertadores and have stormed right back in as if they have been regulars in the competition. Nicolas Nunez’s men are also back in the Chilean top flight for the first time since 1986 and qualified for the Copa Libertadores after winning the Copa Chile. They have struggled in the league but come into this match on a three-match winning run and beat Cobresal 2-1 last time out. Each of their 11 goals in 2023, in seven matches played, have been scored by different players and this could be an advantage heading into this match. They have kept just one clean sheet though all season and will need to tighten up at the back. Simon Contreras could be unavailable for this match after he was withdrawn against Cobresal with an injury.