Coquimbo Unido

vs

Club Nacional de Montevideo

Predictions & Betting Tips

Chile’s ‘Coquimbos’ aim to shock the old men of Uruguay

Coquimbo Unido will face Nacional de Montevideo in their debut Copa Libertadores Group B fixture this Wednesday and they will have to perform at their very best to get a result against a side packed full of legendary players and some of the most decorated players in the history of Uruguayan soccer. Hernán Caputto’s side are currently 6th in the Chilean Primera División after the opening rounds, a solid start, but one that is unlikely to lead to a serious title push in an increasingly competitive division. However, to reach the group stage of the Libertadores itself is a remarkable achievement for the Coquimbo Unido and their players and fans will be in no mood to back down when they take the field in this historic opener. With that said, this Coquimbo Unido vs Club Nacional de Montevideo preview highlights the excitement and anticipation around the match, especially with Coquimbo aiming to make history against such experienced opposition. Coquimbo have won 3 and lost 2 of their last 5 competitive games in all competitions and although they beat Huachipato 1-3 away from home last weekend, they showed their defensive weaknesses against Deportes Concepción and Universidad Católica in recent defeats. Their 4-3-3 formation is a well-organised unit that is disciplined in defence and can press in numbers when necessary, while their 4-5-1 structure is perfect for controlling the pace of games and wearing opponents down, especially when Lucas Pratto is available to link up play between the wide areas and midfield. Alejandro Camargo, Guido Vadalá and Dylan Glaby will be expected to create the openings and finish the chances that Nacional’s talented but aging defenders will gift them. The first Coquimbo Unido vs Club Nacional de Montevideo prediction must concern Coquimbo's ability to capitalize on Nacional's defensive lapses, especially through swift transitions and exploiting spaces on the flanks.

Nacional’s experience and quality to edge out their Chilean hosts

Jorge Bava is a shrewd tactician and he will have Nacional set up to be tough to break down with a disciplined 4-1-4-1 formation that can press in waves and try to suffocate the opposition. Veteran midfielder Nicolás Lodeiro is the maestro in this side, capable of controlling the tempo of big games with his set-piece prowess and his ability to pick out teammates with precision. Nacional will look to win this game on the break and hope to pounce on any turnover in possession and maximise their numerical advantage in the front third of the field. They have won 2 of their last 5 in the league, beating Wanderers and Cerro Largo, but they lost to Defensor Sporting, Peñarol and Juventud, suggesting they are prone to the odd bad day at the office. In our Coquimbo Unido vs Club Nacional de Montevideo prediction, we believe that while Nacional has the edge in experience, they remain vulnerable to quick attacks and could concede if Coquimbo plays with confidence and pace. Maximiliano Gómez and Sebastián Coates will provide the muscle and leadership that Nacional will need in both penalty areas, while Nicolás López is their most likely goal scorer, capable of being the catalyst that can open up the most stubborn defences with his pace and clinical finishing. Benjamin Gazzolo and Manuel Fernández are Coquimbo’s best defenders and they will have to ensure that Nacional’s big target men don’t get any joy in the air or when the ball is in the box. This Coquimbo Unido vs Club Nacional de Montevideo betting tips section suggests taking a look at both teams to score and a total over 2.5 goals for higher-value plays. We’re backing Nacional to eke out a narrow victory here, but we think both teams will score and the game will go over 2.5 goals, making the odds on offer more attractive in the context of our final Coquimbo Unido vs Club Nacional de Montevideo prediction.