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Horse Racing Racing vs Atletico Nacional Bet Builder Tips in the Copa Libertadores
Racing vs Atletico Nacional Bet Builder Tips in the Copa Libertadores
Racing vs Atletico Nacional looks set to be a cracker after the six goal thriller in the first leg. The Colombians took control with a 4-2 victory and will head to Argentina full of confidence. However, can Atletico Nacional defy the odds and progress to the quarter-finals of the Copa Libertadores? All will be revealed at 01:00 Friday UK time.
Bet Builder odds: 3.0
Argentina, Copa Libertadores, 11th August 01:00 (UK)
Odds via Ladbrokes as at 11:00, 7th August 2023. Odds may now differ.
Copa Libertadores Stats: Same again after an enthralling first leg?
- First leg provided six goals between Racing and Atletico Nacional
- Racing has scored 15 goals across seven Libertadores matches
- Atletico Nacional has scored 12 goals across seven Libertadores matches
- Racing scored in every home match in the group stage (8)
- Colombians conceded four on the road despite picking up six points in the group stage
Racing vs Atletico Nacional Bet Builder Tips: Argentines to edge out Colombians in crucial showdown
Racing Over 1.5 Goals
Disaster struck for Racing in Colombia. Despite rallying back to score two key goals in the final minutes, a 95th-minute goal from Atletico Nacional put them firmly back in charge of the leg.
However, back on home soil, Racing will feel more confident of a positive result.
Despite losing Matias Rojas to Corinthians towards the end of the transfer window, Racing had eight different goalscorers throughout the group stage away from their star player.
Racing had an injury crisis throughout the group stage, yet Fernando Gago never strayed from his favoured 4-3-3 formation. His attacking intent saw Racing score four against Nublense, three against Aucas and hold Flamengo at home. Let’s not forget they topped the group, with last year’s champions in second spot.
Chasing the game, Racing can once again score at least two goals. Without relying on an individual, Atletico Nacional may struggle to keep the Argentines quiet in front of goal.
This bet landed in five of Racing’s seven Libertadores matches, and five of their last eight home matches.
Over 2.5 Goals
Despite Racing proving capable in front of goal, they’ve also proven vulnerable defensively. They only managed to keep two clean sheets during the group stage, both coming against Chilean debutants Nublense.
It was simply a case of out-scoring the opposition, as we saw against Aucas in both matches. Racing failed to keep a clean sheet against Flamengo in the group stage, which can be justified to an extent. However, conceding four against Atletico Nacional last week was further evidence of where their main weakness lies.
Atletico Nacional scored in their first four group-stage matches before drawing a blank against Olimpia and Patronato. Olimpia pulled Atletico Nacional apart, which bodes well for Racing. However, in the Patronato match, Atletico had already qualified and put out a side made of reverse and youth players.
Proving dangerous on the break but also vulnerable at the back should help this leg land.
Atletico Nacional relies heavily on experience across the pitch. Ex-AC Milan centre-back Cristian Zapata scored in the first leg, while 36-year-old Jefferson Duque also got on the scoresheet. However, although experience counts for a lot, the longer the game goes on, tired legs may creep in, and Racing have a younger squad capable of creating more goal-scoring chances.
This bet landed in five of seven Libertadores matches for both Racing and Atletico Nacional – (the final group match against Patronato can be crossed out).
Racing to Win
Plenty of action is unsurprisingly expected after the drama of the first leg – but Racing should have the edge in 90 minutes. Whether or not they qualify is another question, but if Atletico Nacional sits back, Racing should be able to pick them off.
Racing has a few tricks up their sleeve, one of which we saw in Colombia. Left-back Gonzalo Piovi has taken over from Matias Rojas from the penalty spot and is highly reliable from 12 yards. He also scored an unstoppable free-kick against Flamengo in the group stage at home, and he’ll be eager to replicate that given the chance.
A noticeable absence from the away side will be Dorlan Pabon Rios, who’s currently out injured. The 35-year-old scored six goals in the group stage, and although Atletico Nacional coped without him in the first leg, his experience and hold-up play will be missed in the final third.
At Estadio Juan Domingo Peron, Racing are on an eight-match unbeaten run, winning five and drawing the other three – despite only keeping two clean sheets. However, 16 goals fill me with enough confidence for a positive result, with goals spread out amongst the squad.
It’s also worth noting that Racing’s domestic season has ended, so Gago will have his squad rested and focused on the task at hand. Atletico Nacional, on the other hand, played away on the weekend in a 1-1 draw with Deportivo Cali.
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