Betting Tip
Estudiantes de La Plata have found themselves in a contradictory situation. On the one hand, they will be at home, which is always motivating, but on the other, Independiente Medellin will clearly sit deep, or at least will not make any serious attempt to take the ball. El Leon were left without the two Palacios players after the previous round against Flamengo: Tiago and Tomas. Both will miss the match through an accumulation of yellow cards. While midfielder Tiago is far from always a starter, defender Tomas starts every time when available. He simply likes getting booked: four yellow cards in his last seven matches in all competitions. The defensive structure will clearly be shaken.
Independiente Medellin arrived in La Plata without either suspended or injured players. But they came without fans. This is one of a series of punishments imposed on the club after unrest at its stadium. Because of that, Independiente Medellin were handed a technical defeat. Of course, there is irritation inside the team. The season is already not going to plan (11th place in the Apertura of the Colombian championship), and now their own supporters have deprived the players of at least some chance.
The tactic of sitting deep in their own half and trying to hold on to the initial 0:0 is fully justified: across their previous three home matches, Estudiantes de La Plata scored only once, despite taking 45 shots in 270 minutes. Yes, a draw will suit Independiente Medellin, and they will fight tooth and nail for that result: they do not want another riot.
