The Boca Juniors vs River Plate Copa Libertadores final will be broadcast live online and on TV as Los Xeneizes host Los Millonarios at La Bombonera for the first-leg this Saturday, November 10, 2018, at 12:00 PM Pacific.
Boca Juniors defeated Paraguayan side Libertad by an aggregate score of 6-2 in the round of 16, Cruzeiro by an aggregate score of 3-1 in the quarterfinals and Palmeiras by an aggregate score of 4-2 in the semifinals to reach this final. La Azul y Oro has been struggling in the Superliga Argentina, currently in eighth place with 18 points, but is coming off a 4-1 win against Tigre in league play.
Despite this form in the league, Guillermo Barros Schelotto still has one of the most complete teams in South America. Players like Dario Benedetto, Paolo Goltz, Edwin Cardona, Mauro Zarate sometimes feature on the bench. Boca’s starting lineup usually has some very talented players like Argentine international Cristian Pavon and former Santos Laguna captain Carlos Izquierdoz among others.
Dario Benedetto could get the start on Saturday afternoon as he scored a total of three goals in the semifinal matchup against Palmeiras after coming back from injury. Boca has plenty of options, but the big difference in the match could be their rigid midfield with players like Pablo Perez, Nahitan Nandez and Wilmar Barrios.
River Plate is not doing so hot in the Superliga Argentina either, currently in 10th place with 16 points, but also has a very solid squad. Los Millonarios’ road to the final was with a 3-0 win on aggregate in the round of 16 against Racing Club, a 3-1 win on aggregate against Independiente in the quarterfinals and a triumph over Gremio in the semifinals. River Plate tied 2-2 against Gremio on aggregate, but reached the final in suspenseful fashion on away goals.
La Banda will be without head coach Marcelo Gallardo as “El Muneco” violated his suspension in the semifinals against Gremio and will now serve a four-match ban. This could have a significant impact on the final, but River Plate still has a solid attack with players like Lucas Pratto, Gonzalo Martinez and Rafael Santos Borre and one of the best defenses in Argentina as well.
#SuperFinalDeAmérica A los argentinos nos pasan cosas inexplicables. Disfrutemos de esta Superfinal de América. pic.twitter.com/yWnhKisabx
— AFA (@afa) November 8, 2018
Los Millonarios have only allowed five goals in the Superliga Argentina, which is the best in the league with players like Javier Pinola, Jonatan Maidana and Franco Armani in net. River Plate should be at a disadvantage in this first game at La Bombonera, but did manage to defeat Boca Juniors 2-0 the last time the teams faced off at Boca’s stadium.
Boca Juniors vs River Plate Prediction
This is the most highly-anticipated football match since the World Cup final and should prove to be one of the most historic and eventful finals in the history of the sport. FutnSoccer predicts an intense 1-1 draw in the first-leg as there is not much to separate both teams in a game that could be filled with excitement and controversy at La Bombonera.
Watch Boca Juniors vs River Plate Online
The Boca Juniors vs River Plate Copa Libertadores 2018 final will be broadcast at 12:00 PM Pacific:
TV Schedule: Fox Deportes
Watch Live Online: FuboTV (Watch 7 Days Free)
