CD Junior FC vs Flamengo Prediction & Betting Tips - Copa Libertadores

Prediction published on 02/03/2020, 12:16  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 02/03/2020 at 18:58 in Copa Libertadores Predictions

We have reached the group stage of this year's Copa Libertadores and holders Flamengo begin the defence of their title with a trip to Colombia to take on Atletico Junior this Wednesday. The Brazilian giants won their first Copa for 38 years in 2019 when they beat defending champions River Plate with an astonishing double from Gabriel Barbosa in the final few minutes. It was the biggest highlight of an exceptional year for the club. Former Benfica and Sporting Lisbon manager Jorge Jesus has overseen a revolution during his time at the helm. His free-flowing attacking football has garnered plaudits and produced mountains of silverware. In his time in charge of Flamengo, Jesus has won more titles (five) than he has lost games (four). The most recent of those titles was the Recopa Sudamericana, the contest that pits the Copa Libertadores winners against the winners of the Copa Sudamericana, last week. To say that Atletico have their work cut out for them against Flamengo is a massive understatement.

Flamengo will be missing a few players through injury when they travel but the majority of their key men are in the squad. They have played seven games away from home this year, winning five and losing none. Junior's form has been less solid. The 2019 Colombian Apertura champions have looked shaky in the opening weeks of the new season, failing to win four of their first seven games. While their overall record is average, their home record is stellar, all three of their wins coming at the Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez. Junior have great attacking options and a solid backline (that often sees wing-backs bombing forward) but their midfield is still gelling after a few arrivals and the notable exit of Victor Cantillo. We expect this adjustment to swing the balance in Flamengo's favour, a world-class team in the winning habit, fearing no opponent. Back the visitors to win.