The excitement is building as the Copa Libertadores quarter-finals kick off on Wednesday, with Colo-Colo set to host River Plate at the iconic Estadio Monumental David Arellano. After securing two narrow but crucial one-goal victories over Junior in the round of 16, the Chileans advanced 3-1 on aggregate and now face a massive challenge. River Plate, four-time champions of the competition, come into this clash having also dispatched Talleres in similar fashion.
Colo-Colo have been unstoppable at home, riding a seven-game winning streak that they'll be eager to extend. But River Plate, under new coach Marcelo Gallardo, remain unbeaten in their last seven matches this season, despite four ending in draws. This opening leg promises to be an electrifying encounter as both teams push for a vital advantage.
Colo-Colo didn't enter the Libertadores knockout stage with the momentum they would have liked, as they were winless in their last five matches leading up to this point. This is their first appearance in the knockout rounds since 2018.
However, they’ve been a force to be reckoned with on home turf, winning seven straight matches across all competitions at Estadio Monumental David Arellano.
Unfortunately, Vicente Pizarro won't be available for Wednesday’s match due to a broken jaw, and Cesar Fuentes is still recovering from a cruciate ligament tear suffered in March.
COLO-COLO predicted lineup vs RIVER PLATE: Cortes (GK); Isla, Amor, Falcon, Wiemberg; Vidal, Pavez; Paiva, Palacios, Cepeda; Correa.
Gallardo's squad is riding high with four consecutive wins in the Libertadores and an unbeaten streak of nine games across all competitions. Impressively, three of those victories in this year's tournament came on the road.
River Plate has a strong record against Colo-Colo, winning their last four Libertadores meetings and staying unbeaten at home, including a commanding 4-0 win in 2022.
But Marcelo Gallardo faces some squad challenges, with Rodrigo Aliendro sidelined due to a shoulder injury and Pity Martínez out with a cruciate ligament tear.
RIVER PLATE predicted lineup vs COLO-COLO: Armani (GK); Bustos, Pezzella, P. Diaz, E. Diaz; Simon, Fernandez, Aliendro; Echeverri, Borja, Meza.
Colo-Colo and River Plate have faced each other eight times, with the Chilean side managing just one win, while River Plate has claimed victory five times. Two of their encounters ended in draws.
Colo-Colo enters this match on a high, winning their last three games, averaging 1.3 goals per match. On the other hand, River Plate has had a mixed run, winning once and drawing twice in their last three matches, also averaging 1.3 goals and 5.0 shots on target.
Given these stats, it's likely to be a low-scoring affair, but River Plate seems to have the edge. While Colo-Colo will have to work hard to break through River's defense, I expect River to score at least once, possibly twice.
My prediction is a tight contest, with River Plate winning 1-2. But to increase the odds and secure the exact result somewhat, my tip will be a win for River Plate with total goals over 2.5.
