Velez Sarsfield vs Boca Juniors: the Hosts Will not Lose in an Under Match

One of the central matches of round 9 of the Copa de la Liga Professional will be the match between two clubs from Buenos Aires, Velez Sarsfield hosting Boca Juniors. Both teams played midweek games at the international level, and both were unsuccessful. True, while Velez stayed in Argentina, the Genoese had to go to Colombia for the loss.

In March and April, Velez Sarsfield played five matches in the Copa de la Liga Prof., winning two, drawing two, and losing to Argentinos Juniors. Such results placed them in the middle of the Group B standings, in ninth position, six points behind the leading Tigres, Estudiantes and Boca. By the way, in the first round of the group stage of the Copa Libertadores, Velez Sarsfield played against Estudiantes. In the opening game of that tournament Velez had no chance, the opponent defeated the Fort with a score of 4:1. Velez's home stats are third in the group, with no losses in four games, two wins and two draws.

Boca Juniors look little like the continent's top club. Even though the Genoese beat River Plate 1:0 away on March 21, due to a 54th-minute goal by Villa. However, after winning the Clasico, Boca could not defeat Arsenal de Sarandi which ended in a 2-2 draw. Three days later, Boca lost in Cali, Colombia, to local Deportivo. Both goals in that game were sent to the second half, the Colombians gave up the initiative, but hit the goal more often and hit the bar twice more often. Boca Juniors' defeat in Colombia reaffirms the thesis that Argentine club, comparing to the Brazilian club, is on the decline. Boca Juniors have the best away record in Group B, with three wins, one tie in four games, and a 6:3 goal difference.

In the last couple of seasons, the rivalry between Velez and Boca has been fairly under. True, there was one 7:1 win for Boca in that period, but that's more of an exception to the rule than anything else. Recall that both teams will be after midweek games in the Copa Libertadores, which increases the probability of a low-scoring outcome. As for the results, we're on the hosts' side. Boca is not as scary now as they were a few seasons ago, and Velez Sarsfield has started the season with good home stats.

In the last four games between Velez and Boca, played at the Velez Sarsfield Stadium, the score was a 0-0 twice. Given the realities and the fact that both teams will be after midweek encounters, we wouldn't be surprised if the centerpiece of the tourney ends in a nil-nil.

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