Junior de Barranquilla and Independiente Santa Fe clash today at theEstadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndezin the first round of the 2021 Copa Libertadores Group D. The hosts secured their place in this stage after defeating Caracas and Bolívar in the preliminary rounds, while the visitors earned a spot in this group for their performance in the last local tournament. Here, find out how to watch the game in the US, the preview, information, storylines, predictions, and odds.
‘The Shark’ made their way into this stage only a week ago, when they turned around a 1-2 aggregate score at home. Luis AmarantoPerea‘s boys are currently fightingagainstmany sides for the first seeds in the domestic league standings.
On the other hand, Independiente Santa Fe booked their ticket to this group after finishing first in the regular season of the local Primera A, before losing in the playoffs final against América de Cali. ‘The Lion’ face a challenging task against a compatriot in the continental competition.
Junior vs Santa Fe: Match Information
Date: Thursday, April 22, 2021
Time: 10 PM (ET)
Location: Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez, Barranquilla
Junior vs Santa Fe: Time by State in the US
ET: 10 PM
CT: 9 PM
MT: 8 PM
PT: 7 PM
Junior vs Santa Fe: Storylines and Head-to-Head
Junior de Barranquilla had to make an effort to play this Copa Libertadores. The ‘Rojiblancos’ started from the second phase of the qualifying stage. First, they knocked Venezuelan side Caracas out 5-2 on aggregate, and then they defeatedBolívar with an epic comeback at home. Perea’s team lost 2-1 in Bolivia, but they claimed a 3-0 triumph in Barranquilla.
Now,they are inside a tough group, alongside compatriot Independiente Santa Fe, Argentine giants River Plate, and Fluminense from Brazil. Their first challenge will be against a well-known opponent. Santa Fe head to this clash after defeating La Equidad to remain in the second place of the domestic first division.
This will be the first clash between them in this tournament. They have faced multiple times in Colombian soccer, though, and twice in the Copa Sudamericana. In the local league, Santa Fe won 13 times, while Junior did it in 11 games, and they drew in eight matches. However, The Shark claimed the victory in the two Sudamericana meetings.
How to watch or live stream Junior vs Santa Fe in the US
The game to be played between Junior and Santa Fe in the Copa Libertadores 2021 Group Stage will be broadcast in the US byFanatiz,beIN SPORTS en Español, beIN SPORTS CONNECT, and beIN SPORTS.
Junior vs Santa Fe: Predictions and Odds
Oddsmakers in the US haven’t made their predictions yet. However, Caliente has placed their odds for this game, seeing Junioras favorites with +110, while Santa Fehave +265. A tie would result in a +220 payout.
| Caliente | |
| Junior | +110 |
| Tie | +220 |
| Santa Fe | +265 |
* Odds via Caliente.