Boca Juniors v Monagas SC

Boca Juniors vs Monagas Preview

In Group F, Thursday night's hosts, Boca Juniors, will be eager to finish the job in hand as they sit top of the group by a three-point margin over second-placed Deportivo Pereira, with just this last fixture against Venezuelan outfit, Monagas, left to navigate before preparing for the knockout round of this season's Copa Libertadores.

With 10 points already earned under their belts, Boca Juniors know they have already qualified for the next phase of the competition but Boca Juniors manager, Mariano Herron, will be demanding a response from his players following a heavy 4-0 defeat away from home at Godoy Cruz in the Argentinian Primera Division last time out.

Indeed, recent results have seen Boca Juniors suffer a few hiccups of late with the hosts picking up wins against Tigre and Colo Colo (the latter in the Copa Libertadores), but they've also slipped to losses against Deportivo Pereira (Copa Libertadores), Arsenal de Sarandi and Godoy Cruz as well.

However, at Copa Libertadores level, Boca Juniors have been extremely tough to beat at home, losing just once in their previous 27 games on home soil, keeping a staggering 22 clean sheets in the process.

Monagas sit in third spot in Group F and although the visitors find themselves five points adrift of the group leaders and upcoming hosts, Boca Juniors, they trail second-placed Deportivo Pereira by just two points with a game remaining of this group phase.

Three scenarios could play out here for Monagas who are in the running for either a place in the knockout round of the Copa Libertadores, a place in the Copa Sudamericana, or indeed, nothing at all as they also have the likes of Colo Colo to contend with who sit on five points apiece with Monagas.

There's everything to play for then for all the teams in the group but although they have earned four points from their last two games in the group phase of this competition, Monagas have had very little to cheer about overall in recent weeks.

The Venezuelan visitors have won just once in their last seven games in all competitions while also slipping to five defeats in the process, and the bigger picture shows Monagas have claimed just two wins out of their last 14 matches overall.

Boca Juniors v Monagas Verdict

Boca Juniors possess one of the best records at home in the Copa Libertadores and the Argentinian hosts will once again rely on their solid form and extremely tight defence to see them finish the job in hand on Thursday night.

It's all or nothing for Monagas it appears as they make their way to the Estadio Alberto José Armando and the visitors may well come up empty-handed here on Thursday night.

Therefore, our main bet will be Boca Juniors win & Both Teams To Score NO @ 1.52

Other side bets worth considering:

Under 2.5 goals @ 1.90

Correct score: Boca Juniors 2-0 @ 5.50