Atl. Nacional – Bolivar Prediction & Picks (25.04.2018)

Atlético Nacional and Bolívar face at Estadio Atanasio Girardot, in a match for this phase of the Copa Libertadores (Group Stage). The history of recent direct confrontations between these two teams indicates total balance, since there was 1 draw and 1 win for each team in the last 3 matches. In this game the home factor may be decisive, since both teams present considerable differences in the results achieved at home and as a visitor.

Atlético Nacional:

The home team is currently in the 1 st position of the league, with 6 points won, after 2 wins and 1 loss. In the penultimate match, they won in a home match against Delfin, by (4-0). In the last match, they lost in an away match against Bolívar by (1-0). This is a team that usually makes good use of the home advantage, stronger with the help of its supporters, since in the last 30 matches they register 5 wins, 5 draws and 5 losses in away matches, with 12 goals scored and 12 conceded; against 13 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss at their stadium, with 25 goals scored and 3 conceded. In the last match they played, for the Primera A, they beat Once Caldas at home by (1-0). In the last 10 home matches Atlético Nacional has a record of 9 wins and 1 loss. Their defense has been very strong, having only scored goals in 3 of the last 10 matches, and their offense has scored consistently, as they have scored goals in 8 of the last 10 matches. In the last 20 home matches for all competitions there is 1 period that stands out: they have conceded 4 of their 7 goals between minutes (46′-60 ‘).

With the first position in their group and missing 3 rounds to finish this phase, the Nacional de Medellín has great chances of qualifying for the knockout stages of the competition. We remember that the 2nd, the Bolivar, his current adversary, has only 1 point less. The 3rd is the Dolphin team, with 4 points, followed by the 4th, the Colo-Colo, which adds only 1 point. We emphasize that in these 3 games for the Copa Libertadores their average per game is 1.67 goals scored and 0.33 suffered, demonstrating great quality in both sectors. The National of Medellin is a very strong team, mainly acting at home, where it does not suffer a defeat 9 games ago, being all victorious. In his last 5 games under these conditions, despite not scoring a large number of goals, he suffered none. For this game the technician Jorge Almirón must align his team in 4-1-4-1, being G. Torres Grueso the most advanced player. Everything indicates that there are no important absences for this game.

Bolivar:

The away team is currently in the 2nd position, with 5 points won, after 1 win and 2 draws. In the penultimate match, they tied in a home match against Colo Colo, by (1-1). In the last match, they won in a home match against Atlético Nacional, by (1-0). This is a team that usually makes good use of the home advantage, stronger with the help of its supporters, since in the last 30 matches they register 5 wins, 6 draws and 4 losses in away matches, with 25 goals scored and 26 conceded; against 11 wins, 3 draws and 1 loss at their stadium, with 32 goals scored and 7 suffered. In the last match they played, for LFPB, they lost to Guabirá by (4-1). In the last 10 away matches Bolívar has won 2, tied 5 and lost 3. Their attack has scored regularly, since they have scored goals in 9 of the last 10 matches.

With the second position in his group, the Bolivar is behind only his current opponent, which adds 1 point more in his group. Despite this, the Bolivar is threatened by the 3rd, the Dolphin, which adds 4 points, while the Colo-Colo so far does not represent danger. We emphasize that in these 3 games for the Copa Libertadores their average per game is 1 goal scored and 0.67 suffered, showing a better defensive performance. The team of Bolívar has a lot of quality, being always difficult to face, with few defeats. But acting outside the home has found some difficulty to overcome, as bitter a defeat in his last game in these conditions, for the national championship, against Guabirá, 4-1. For this match the coach Vinícius Eutrópio must line up his team in a 4-4-2, with M. Riquelme and W. Ferreira Martínez being the most advanced players. Everything indicates that there are no major absences in this game.