The first leg of the Boca Juniors vs Newell’s Old Boys Copa Libertadores quarterfinal match will be held this Thursday, May 23, 2013 (5:30 PM PST) at the Estadio La Bombonera in ‘La Boca’ neighborhood. The ‘Xeneize’ group comes greatly motivated into the quarterfinals after defeating tournament favorites and reigning champs, Corinthians, in the Round-of-16. On the other hand, Newell’s has been a good team throughout the Libertadores, and they qualified into the quarterfinals after defeating Argentine rival, Velez Sarsfield, in the previous round.
Boca Juniors began the competition in weak form, as they lost 2 of the first 3 matches against Toluca (MEX) and Nacional (URU). Those losses meant Boca was in an uncomfortable position and on the verge of elimination, but a series of good results, including winning 3 out of their past 5 matches, have put them in the quarterfinals. On Thursday they receive Newell’s who has played well, and who also leads the Argentine first division in points. In comparison, the xeneizes are in 18th place in their league, which means that realistically the Libertadores is the only tournament in which they have a possibility of winning something.
Newell’s Old Boys is ready to keep their good run alive in the Libertadores when they visit the always difficult ‘Bombonera’. During the weekend coach Gerardo Martino used a ‘B’ squad, which tells that the squad will be complete with its starters. The winner of this quarterfinal series will play the winner between Xolos and Atletico Mineiro.
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Boca Juniors vs Newell’s Old Boys Prediction
Boca Juniors has been irregular during this 2013. However, the games against Corinthians demonstrated that the mentality of this team may be in the Copa Libertadores. Newell’s has been dominant in both the Argentine league, and the international competition, but their visit to La Bombonera will be very difficult to surpass. The Boca Juniors vs Newell’s Old Boys will end 2-1 in favor of the home team.
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Boca Juniors vs Newell’s Old Boys Television
The Boca Juniors vs Newell’s Old Boys match will be televised DELAYED on Fox Deportes this Friday, May 24, 2013 at 10:00 AM Pacific. Original game time is on Thursday, at 5:30 PM; Note that during that time the Xolos-Atletico Mineiro match will be televised live.
