Always Ready vs Corinthians: Will El Alto bring success to the Bolivians again?

In the first leg of the Copa Libertadores, Bolivia’s Always Ready will face Corinthians from Brazil. Despite the status of their future rivals, bookmakers are not rushing to favour the Brazilians in the pairing. The future hosts are quoted as the slight favourites for the upcoming game.

Given that the Always Ready have lost three times in their last five games, with one draw and one win over Santa Cruz, it can hardly be said that the future home team are in good form. After seven rounds played in the Bolivian league, the Always Ready are just fifth, behind the play-off zone side Independiente Petrolero on goal difference and the leading Bolivian side, 8 points behind them. The home stats of the Always Ready are the worst in the Bolivian league, with two draws in three games and a defeat by Tomayapo. Last season, Always Ready took part in the group stage of the Copa Libertadores, finishing only fourth in Group B, losing to Internacional, Olimpia and even Deportivo Tachira. The Bolivians won two of their three matches in the tournament, including against the Brazilians. Let us not forget that the difficulty of matches in El Alto is because of its geographical location. The city is 4,150 meters above sea level.

Corinthians failed in the Paulista state championship, dropping out of the tournament at the semi-final stage from São Paulo. The semi-final took place at Morumbi, with Sao Paulo scoring first at the end of the first half and then doubling the lead 18 minutes into the second half, thanks to Alisson’s goal. The only thing Corinthians had going for them was Jo’s 86th-minute goal. Before losing to Sao Paulo, Corinthians had beaten Novorizontino and Guarani. It should also be noted that Timao had over 10 days between the games against Corinthians and Always Ready.

Always Ready and Corinthians have not played each other. The Bolivians, judging by their recent results, are a draw team, with at least four of their last five matches involving the Always Ready ending via TU (2.5). In terms of class, Timao are superior to the Bolivians, of that there is no doubt, even considering Corinthians’ poor performance in the Paulista champions. However, the club from Sao Paulo has a match in high-altitude Bolivia ahead, and there are doubts that the guests will show their maximum in this match. We think that the upcoming meeting will be, as in most recent matches involving Always Ready, unproductive. Total Under 2.5 for 1.71.

As far as the outcome is concerned, we’re on the home side’s side. It’s not without reason that the Bolivians beat Internacional last season on home soil, and also in the first round of the group stage of the Copa Libertadores. Corinthians have not had the best start to the season. The visitors are far from the ideal tone that we saw in the match against Sao Paulo. So a defeat in Bolivia should hardly surprise anyone. W1 for 2.12.

There are very few options for low-scoring wins, 1-0 or 2-0. We have settled on the first option. We believe that one goal scored by the Bolivians in this game will be decisive. Correct score 1-0 for 6.50.

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