Nacional Montevideo vs Independiente Medellin Prediction & Betting Tips - Copa Libertadores

Prediction published on 18/04/2023, 09:45  by Devesh Jaganath in Copa Libertadores Predictions

The second round of matches in the Copa Libertadores will get underway this week, and in our featured Group B clash, we will see Nacional host Independiente Medellin on Thursday. The hosts currently lead Group B after their opening match win against Metropolitanos two weeks ago, which ended 2-1. Nacional have been good in domestic competition as well this season, currently in fourth place in the Primera Division with 19 points after 11 matches, five points behind current leaders Penarol. Over their last six matches in all competitions, Nacional has won three, drawn two, and lost one; however, they are unbeaten at Estadio Gran Parque Central this season and come into this one on a four-match winning streak. Nacional failed to make it out of the group stages in this tournament last year, but having made a good start this year, they will be hoping they can continue in that vein as they now go up against one of the more fancied sides to qualify from this group. 

Colombian representatives, Independiente Medellin, put on a resilient showing in their first-round match against Internacional, holding the Brazilian side to a 1-1 draw and setting them in third place in the group standings. In general, the visitors have struggled to put together a run of results this season so far, currently sitting in 7th place in the Primera A Apertura with 19 points after 14 matches, nine points behind the league leaders Rionegro Aguilas. Independiente Medellin’s recent record reads as two wins, three draws, and one loss in their last 6 matches, though they do come into this one following back-to-back league wins against Deportivo Cali and Atletico Bucaramanga in the last week. Independiente Medellin failed to make it out of the group stages in the Copa Sudamericana last year but have improved significantly since then and will have to be at their absolute best here to overcome an opponent that has been very good on their home patch so far this season.