​Argentine Division 1 -- Boca Juniors vs Banfield Game Preview

 

 

Pick:1x2    Boca Juniors  @1.95

 

Analysis:

Following a rare loss a week ago, Boca Juniors must overcome Banfield at home on Friday in order to guarantee their place among the top three teams.

 

Boca Juniors

Last Friday, Boca were beaten by Club Atlético Unión 2-1 after they gave up two penalties to Union. Boca Juniors have been undefeated at home for 12 straight games before last week, when they lost their second match of this campaign. With that loss, they fell three points behind Racing in the overall standings.

 

Banfield

Banfield made 1-1 statement with Barracas Central last time out. They have not displayed much strength in their five games this round, but they have often performed well enough to collect points, losing only one of their previous eight domestic competition games.

 

Prediction

Several of Boca Juniors' backup players are more than capable of defeating a team that shouldn't pose a significant threat to them in the offensive third, and they have enough talent to secure a victory on Friday.

Copa Libertadores -- Talleres Cordoba vs Colon de Santa Fe Game Preview

 

 

Pick:AH   Talleres Cordoba (0/-0.5)  @1.90

 

Analysis:

On Wednesday night, Talleres will receive Colon at Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes as the two teams compete to proceed to the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals.

 

Talleres Cordoba

Talleres advanced to the last-16 after placing second in Group H. However, their new league season has gotten off to a rough start with only four points from five games, dropping them to 24th place in the standings. They have won four of their previous seven games when playing at home and had gone undefeated in seven of their previous ten games overall.

 

Colon de Santa Fe

Colon finished first in Group G with 10 points from their six games - two points clear of Cerro Porteno. Colon have struggled thus far in the 2022 league season, earning just five points from five games and now occupying the 20th spot in the league table. They have dropped their past three games across all competitions.

 

Prediction

Given the similarity in quality between these two teams, I anticipate both legs of the round of 16 match to be tight. If a draw were proposed on Wednesday prior to kickoff, both managers would probably accept it.

USA Major League Soccer -- Seattle Sounders vs Charlotte FC Game Preview

 

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Pick:1x2    Seattle Sounders  @1.53

 

Analysis:

On Sunday, Charlotte FC will face the Seattle Sounders for the first time in team history at Lumen Field in pursuit of their first career road victory in MLS.

 

Seattle Sounders

Last weekend, the Sounders were defeated 1-0 by the Colorado Rapids. Seattle has been allowing a lot of goals in recent games, but they've been able to make up for it by putting up strong performances at home. However, their supporters will be disappointed to learn that they currently rank 12th in the Western Conference, out of a total of 14 teams.

 

Charlotte FC

With a 2-1 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps, Charlotte climbed into the Eastern Conference's top seven. Charlotte hasn't won in five of their last nine games overall, and they haven't won on the road this season. And that wasn't even in the Major League Soccer. Charlotte is making every effort to get into the Eastern Conference's top tier.

 

Prediction

Charlotte has yet to establish that they can do anything other than keep a game close away from home, as surprising as they have been through the first 13 games of the season. The Sounders are aware that the schedule for the next few weeks is favorable to them, and one thing about this team is that they seldom pass up a chance.

Spanish La Liga Game Preview -- Alaves vs RCD Espanyol

 

 

Pick:1x2   Alaves  @2.05

 

Analysis:

On Wednesday, Alaves will face Espanyol in an attempt to keep their slender survival hopes alive.

 

Alaves

Alaves went to Celta Vigo over the weekend and came away empty-handed, losing 4-0. The team have had a particularly difficult season for finishing in the relegation zone with only five victories and 22 points from 31 league appearances. They are now bottom of La Liga, six points away of safety, with only three games remaining.

 

RCD Espanyol

Nico Melamed's second-half equalizer earned Espanyol a 1-1 draw against Osasuna. Espanyol has likewise been far better at home than on the road this season, winning just one of their 17 league games away from home. The 14th-placed team do have the advantage of an eight-point lead over the relegation zone, and a win on Wednesday will ensure their top-flight position for next season.

 

Prediction

This game is far more important for Alaves, and we anticipate them to take advantage of their home court and score a crucial three-pointer, putting them in contention to escape relegation to the Segunda Division next season.