CA River Plate (ARG) vs Flamengo Prediction & Betting Tips - Copa Libertadores

Prediction published on 22/11/2019, 13:32  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 22/11/2019 at 15:32 in Copa Libertadores Predictions

River Plate are the defending Copa Libertadores champions and bidding for a fifth title. They take on Flamengo from Brazil whose only Copa Libertadores win was 38 years ago. The winers of this match will qualify for next month's World Club Championship going straight into the semi-finals and could meet Liverpool in the final. River Plate are currently fourth in the Argentinian Super League, just a point behind the league leaders. Their opponents are coming to the end of their season and have already clinched Brazil's Serie A with a 13 point lead. This game is being played in Peru, it was due to be staged in Chile but for safety reasons has been moved.

The holders finished second in the group stages going unbeaten but drawing four of their six matches. In the knock-out stages, the draws continued in the last sixteen. After two goalless draws with Cruzeiro (who are just above the relegation zone in Serie A), they made it through to the quarter finals on penalties. Cerro Porteno were beaten in the last eight and they made it to the final by beating Boca Juniors 2-1 on aggregate. That was a repeat of last year's final and now they look to make it two wins in a row. 

Flamengo finished top of their group, one of three teams who finished on ten points. They also had to rely on a penalty shoot-out to reach the quarter finals as they beat Emelec. They then beat Internacional (who finished above River Plate in their group) in the last eight. The semi-final was a lot easier as they beat Gremio (fourth in Serie A)  6-1 on aggregate winning the home leg 5-0. Flamengo are unbeaten in their last 25 league and cup games, last being beaten in August. River Plate aren't in the best of form with three wins, a draw and two losses in their last six matches. Go for Flamengo to get the win in this final.