Preview: Boca Juniors vs. Santos - prediction, team news, lineups

Argentinian champions Boca Juniors welcome Brazilian giants Santos to Buenos Aires on Wednesday in Copa Libertadores action.

The hosts picked up a 1-0 win over The Strongest in the first round of group fixtures last week, while their visitors fell to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Ecuadorian outfit Barcelona SC.

Match preview

© Reuters

Boca Juniors began their Copa Libertadores campaign with a victory last time out, as they travelled to Bolivia to take on The Strongest.

Despite a dominant performance from the hosts, Sebastian Villa netted the only goal of the game after seven minutes to seal a crucial opening victory.

They stretched their winning run to three games in all competitions with a 2-0 league victory over Huracan last time out, as Franco Soldano opened the scoring before Gonzalo Maroni sealed the win with a goal in added time.

That maintained their spot in second place in the Argentine Primera Division Group B, although their priority will be sealing a victory on Wednesday to book their place in the knockout stage.

Their opponents will be looking to bounce back from a defeat in the opening game in order to keep their hopes of qualification alive.

© Reuters

The Brazilian side lost their opening Copa Libertadores game, as they hosted Barcelona SC.

Carlos Garces opened the scoring for the Ecuadorian side in the 53rd minute, before a Para own goal put the game out of sight.

Ariel Holan's side will be desperate to keep their chances of qualification alive, having gone through qualifying to reach the group stage.

In the second round, the Alvinegro Praiano picked up a 3-2 aggregate victory over Venezuelan side Deportivo Lara, before they toppled Argentinian side San Lorenzo in the third round, winning 5-3 on aggregate thanks to a 3-1 victory in the first leg in Argentina.

They will look to put their first win of the group stage on the board on Wednesday, as they aim to boost their chances of advancing through to the final 16.

Team News

© Reuters

Boca Juniors will remain without striker Mauro Zarate, who has missed the last two matches with a calf injury.

However, experienced forward Carlos Tevez will be on hand to lead the line with the support of Franco Soldano and Sebastian Villa, who netted the winning goal in the opening game.

At the other end of the pitch, centre-back Marcos Rojo remains out of contention, with Carlos Izquierdoz and Lisandro Lopez expected to partner up at the heart of a back four.

Lucas Braga and Vinicius Balieiro both remained on the bench and were reduced to substitute appearances in the first group game, and the pair will be pushing for returns to the side after impressive starts to the season.

Seventeen-year-old Marcos Leonardo led the line in that defeat to Barcelona SC, while Kaiky Fernandes and Luan Peres will form the centre-back pairing at the other end of the pitch.

Boca Juniors possible starting lineup:

Rossi; Buffarini, Lopez, Izquierdoz, Fabra; Medina, Varela, Almenda, Villa; Soldano, Tevez

Santos possible starting lineup:

Paulo; Madson, Peres, Fernandes, Jonatan; Balieiro, Alison; Marinho, Pirani, Braga; Leonardo

We say: Boca Juniors 2-0 Santos

Boca Juniors have plenty of experience on this stage, and we expect them to outclass Santos on Wednesday.

The collection of attacking talent should be more than enough to break the Brazilian side down, while the visitors did not look too threatening in their defeat to Barcelona SC.