- Independiente Medellín are mid-table in Colombian Primera A with 17 points from 14 games.
- Estudiantes de La Plata are near the top of the Argentine Liga Profesional with 21 points from 11 games.
- This is the first competitive meeting between the two teams in the CONMEBOL Libertadores.
Medellín in a matchup
Independiente Medellín have been a mixed bag of good form in their last five games across all competitions, with two wins, two draws and a defeat, beating América de Cali 2-1 in the Primera A and progressing in the qualifiers with a win over Juventud.
Alejandro Restrepo’s side are a well-drilled 4-2-3-1 team who dominate possession but have a compact and well-balanced defense when they lose the ball. Their midfielders work hard defensively and are strong on set-pieces, with Baldomero Perlaza the engine-room in the central pivot. According to our Independiente Medellin vs Estudiantes de la Plata prediction, Yony González and Francisco Fydriszewski should provide plenty of movement for the striker, and with Salvador Ichazo as a calm and experienced keeper, they look structured and organised enough to pull off an upset on Thursday.
Estudiantes are solid, but can leak goals
Eduardo Domínguez’s Estudiantes have been a much more solid presence in the league this year, with a record of two wins and three defeats in their last five. The 5-0 thumping of Central Córdoba last time out, however, shows that they are capable of putting on an attacking display when they are at the top of their game. Adolfo Gaich will be the main offensive threat on Thursday after his hat-trick last time out, while central midfielders Facundo Farías and Fabricio Pérez create chances and push forward.
In this Independiente Medellin vs Estudiantes de la Plata preview, Domínguez has brought a very clear identity to this team, with a narrow 4-3-3 system that sees them press as a team when they win the ball and sit back compactly when they don’t. Fabricio Iacovich is a solid keeper, and he’s helped his team keep things tight at the back, although they do tend to concede away from home.
An open game with goals on both sides
This is a matchup between two teams who are solid defensively, but both have the ability to push forward and get on the scoresheet when necessary.
The Independiente Medellin vs Estudiantes de la Plata prediction points to Medellín as a possession-based team with a solid defensive unit who will try to keep the game in hand, while Estudiantes are a more pressing side, looking to create overloads in the middle of the field.
This should be an open, exciting game, especially if the thunderstorms in Medellin create a slippery pitch at Atanasio Girardot. For those looking for Independiente Medellin vs Estudiantes de la Plata betting tips, we’re going with a home win in this matchup and we’re adding Over 2.5 goals and Both Teams to Score - Yes to boost the odds.
For the record, Medellín home win is 2.56, Over 2.5 goals is 2.62 and Both Teams to Score - Yes is 2.1.
