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Boca Juniors will invite Cruzeiro to La Bombonera in the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana round of 16 on Thursday. The hosts overcame Independiente del Valle in the round of 32 last month while the visitors booked a place directly in the knockout stage after finishing as the Group B winners.
The hosts are unbeaten in their last nine games in all competitions and played out a 1-1 draw against Independiente Rivadavia in the Argentine Primeira Division on Saturday. Cristian Medina bagged the equalizer in the fifth minute of stoppage time, with Miguel Merentiel picking up the assist.
The visitors are winless in their last two games and played out a goalless draw against Atletico Mineiro in the Brazilian Serie A last week. They had enjoyed an unbeaten record in the group stage of Copa Sudamericana, keeping five clean sheets in six games.
Boca Juniors vs Cruzeiro Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- The two teams have met 16 times in all competitions, including friendlies. They have been evenly matched in these games, with six wins apiece and four games ending in draws.
- They last met in the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals in 2018, with the hosts recording a 3-1 win on aggregate.
- The hosts are unbeaten in their last four meetings against the visitors, recording three wins.
- Cruzeiro drew two of their three away games in the group stage of the competition, failing to score in both draws.
- Boca Juniors have enjoyed an unbeaten streak at home in all competitions in 2024.
- The hosts are unbeaten in their last nine games in all competitions, with five games ending in draws.
- The visitors have failed to score in four of their last seven away games in all competitions, recording just two wins.
Boca Juniors vs Cruzeiro Prediction
Xeneize are unbeaten in their last nine games in all competitions, though three of their last four games have ended in draws. They are unbeaten at home in 2024 across all competitions and are strong favorites. They have suffered just one loss in their last eight meetings against the visitors.
Celeste are winless in their two games in August, scoring just one goal, and will look to improve upon that record. They enjoyed an unbeaten run in the group stage and will look to continue that run in this match. They have just one win in away meetings against the hosts, which is a cause for concern.
Considering the current form of the two teams, a low-scoring draw is likely to ensue.
Prediction: Boca Juniors 1-1 Cruzeiro
Boca Juniors vs Cruzeiro Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Draw
Tip 2: Goals - Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Under 2.5 goals
Tip 3: At least one goal to be scored in the second half - Yes
Tip 4: Edinson Cavani to score or assist any time - Yes
