Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Copa Argentina match.
Boca Juniors will face Atlético Tucumán in the Round of 32 of the Copa Argentina. In line with the tournament format, this is a single-elimination fixture, with the winner set to meet Newell's Old Boys in the next stage.
Boca Juniors
Boca Juniors are still working their way back into form following their involvement in the Club World Cup. In their most recent match, they were held to a 1:1 draw by Unión de Santa Fe, despite dominating the contest: 74% possession, 9 shots, and 0.76 xG. The squad is clearly on an upward trajectory, particularly following the addition of Leandro Paredes. The high-profile midfielder has already made his debut, notching an assist in just 25 minutes on the pitch.
Atlético Tucumán
Atlético Tucumán remain one of the weaker sides in the domestic competition. They endured a poor Apertura, finishing 10th in Group B. Although they began the Clausura with a win and a draw, their opponents—Central Cordoba (1:1) and San Martín de San Juan (2:1)—were even more modest in quality. Tellingly, even those teams managed to control large portions of the game and recorded a combined 1.46 xG. It’s hard to imagine how they will cope against a side of the calibre of Boca Juniors.
Boca Juniors vs Atlético Tucumán Prediction
There is a clear disparity in quality between the two sides. While the match takes place at a neutral venue, that is unlikely to disrupt Boca Juniors. Meanwhile, Atlético Tucumán have lost 8 of their last 10 away fixtures, and there is little to suggest they can change that trend here.
