Estudiantes vs Barcelona SC
Copa Libertadores 2017, Group Stage
Date: Wednesday, 12th April 2017
Kick off at 01:00 UK/ 02:00 CET
Venue: Estadio Ciudad de La Plata.
The two sides had differing fortunes in the opening round of fixtures in this difficult looking group. Barcelona picked up an impressive 2-1 home victory over last season’s Libertadores champions Atletico Nacional. Estudiantes did not have such good fortune and fell to a 2-1 defeat at Brazilians Botafogo. Said results put a lot more pressure on Estudiantes than Barcelona coming into this game, and Los Pincharratas will be desperate for the three points.
They can be confident in getting exactly that on current form. The La Plata based outfit have responded well to that disappointing defeat by winning three of the four domestic games since. Said form has seen them keep their title dream alive, sitting in third place, six points behind leaders Boca with a home game against them coming up shortly. Estudiantes are a very strong side at home, and have won seven out of their last nine games in front of the home crowd.
Ecuadorians Barcelona will be looking to provide a stern test. El Idolo del Ecuador can be a tricky opponent for any side but have been very inconsistent so far this season. They sit rather disappointingly in 5th place in the Ecuadorian top flight, seven points behind leaders Delfin, having only taken 12 points from 8 games. Said form makes retaining the title a difficult task, so hopes of a successful season seem more pinned on the Libertadores.
Estudiantes have been priced as heavy favourites for the tie, and rightly so. On home soil they tend to get the job done and they know the importance of the fixture. However, Barcelona still represent a decent challenge and we much prefer to look at the corner market here.
Estudiantes’ desire to win the game should see them pin back Barcelona throughout, attacking with pace and intensity. Barcelona will sit deep and look to exploit the visitors on the counter. Both of these situations should create a large number of corners, with Estudiantes laying siege on the visiting goal, and Barcelona stretching the game on the break.
On home soil, Estudiantes home games are averaging 10.1 corners a game this season, and their two games on home soil in 2017 have both comfortably cleared the over 9.5 line with 14 corners being taken in each game. That coupled with the fact that Barcelona’s last three away outings have also cleared the line make odds the right side of evens look very appealing and that’s what we are backing for this match.
Estudiantes
Nelson Vivas can be thrilled with his team’s fabulous attacking form as Estuduantes notched six goals in back-to-back wins over Arsenal and Aldosivi in Primera Divison.
The good run helped the team jump on the third position in the league standings. Lucas Viatri has had a magnificent end to the last year, but he skipped last three league outings due to injury troubles.
Barcelona
Barcelona were off to a shaky start of their new Primera A campaign, but they seem to have improved their form lately winning three of their last four matches in all competitions.
Jorge Almada could have especially been proud of his team’s performance in the Copa Libertadores opener with the reigning champions.
Estudiantes vs Barcelona: Head to head
The two teams played each other in the same group of Copa Libertadores two years ago when Estudiantes took two easy wins without conceding a single goal.
Estudiantes vs Barcelona: Prediction
The gulf in quality should be notable without any doubts and we simply have to take the home win as the top betting option here.
The hosts will want to close the deal as early in the game as possible which is why we see the value in the HT/FT win for Estudiantes.
Estudiantes vs Barcelona: Bet Tips
The first bet will be Estudiantes to win to nil at the odds of 5/4.
You can alternatively go with HT/FT Estudiantes/Estudiantes bet at the same 5/4 odds.
