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

Prediction published on 04/04/2023, 04:50  by Devesh Jaganath | Modified on 04/04/2023 at 05:07 in Copa Libertadores Predictions

With the qualification rounds behind us, the Copa Libertadores group stages get underway this week, and on the opening day, we will see The Strongest welcome River Plate to Estadio Hernando Siles for the first match of Group D on Friday. The hosts currently lead the Bolivian Primera Division, with 16 points after the first six matches, one point ahead of Bolivar in second. The Strongest were held to a 1-1 draw against Real Santa Cruz in their last match, which was their first dropped points for the season as they remain the only side in the Bolivian Primera Division that is still unbeaten after the first six matches with a record of five wins and one draw. The hosts failed to qualify for the knockout stages of this tournament last season, finishing third in their group behind Libertad and Athletico-PR with just one win in their six group-stage matches. With the high altitude in Bolivia, The Strongest will be hoping they can make their home-ground advantage payoff against a very strong opposition in this one. 

River Plate will be looking to improve on their Copa Libertadores campaign last season, where they made it to the round of 16 but were somewhat surprisingly beaten by Velez Sarsfield by a 1-0 aggregate over the two legs. The visitors topped Group F with 16 points and were unbeaten in their six group matches, winning five and drawing one en route to the knockout stages. This season has begun very well for the visitors, who also currently lead the Argentine Primera Division First Phase with 21 points after nine matches. They currently have a record of seven wins and two losses and sit four points ahead of San Lorenzo in second place. River Plate will know that they have their work cut out for them in Bolivia, but will be quietly confident that their potent attack will be able to register a few goals in this match.