Boca Juniors
- The match will be a clash of styles between Boca’s possession and width against Deportivo Riestra’s compact, counter-attacking structure.
- Boca Juniors closed 2025 with a multi-game winning run before losing a semifinal to Racing by a one-goal margin.
- Claudio Úbeda’s side have been solid defensively, playing with a 4-3-3 structure and plenty of width to accommodate for the absence of some of their attacking options.
- Alan Velasco, who scored in the 2-1 friendly win over Olimpia, could partner Exequiel Zeballos up front for Sunday’s opener against Deportivo Riestra with both capable of offering pace and a one-on-one threat from the flanks.
- Leandro Paredes’ quality and ability to control games from deep will be key to unlocking Riestra’s deep, compact block, while the visitors will try to create problems on set pieces and counter-attacks.
Deportivo Riestra
- Gustavo Benítez has a small squad to work with but his squad is compact, organised and no longer intimidated by the bigger clubs after their shock 2025 Clausura performance.
- Riestra finished near the top of their group in the Clausura and won 2 - 1 at El Monumental.
- Beni’s men are an underdog story heading into the Apertura with continuity and some fresh loan signings, but no absences to speak of.
Head-to-Head
- It is only the second official match between the two clubs, but Riestra’s giant-killing spree in 2025 and their stunning rise to the top-flight has made this opener at the Bombonera a highly intriguing prospect.
- Riestra’s 2 - 1 win at El Monumental stands out as a recent statement result.
Key Players
- Boca are missing key attacking players to injury, but have enough quality to still win this match and are on a solid run of form.
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Boca
- Alan Velasco, who scored in the 2-1 friendly win over Olimpia, could partner Exequiel Zeballos up front for Sunday’s opener against Deportivo Riestra with both capable of offering pace and a one-on-one threat from the flanks.
- Ander Herrera, who has impressed during pre-season, will bring quality and calmness to Boca’s midfield and looks a safe bet to start with Merentiel and Cavani injured.
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Riestra
- Antony Alonso provides the main aerial threat and scored in the win at River, while Pedro Ramírez offers the direct running to get at the opposition from the second line in games where his side will be under the pressure of possession.
- In Ignacio Arce, Riestra have a keeper who has made clutch saves in big games and knows how to keep his team in contests against stronger sides.
Betting Insights
- Odds: Boca Juniors are the clear favorites at 1.58, with Deportivo Riestra the darkhorses at 6.6 and the draw 3.5.
- Boca are the heavy favorites for the win and there is logic to their odds of around 1.58, but with the heat and humidity of Buenos Aires set to slow the game down a little, we like the chances of Riestra to upset the odds.
Prediction
- The heat will test the fitness of both squads, but the home players, particularly the injured attackers, will be affected more than the opposition.
- Boca have enough depth and quality to win this game and should get their season off to a victorious start, but Riestra can make it a nervous night for the Bombonera crowd.
- Preferred correct score: 2-1 to Boca, with 1-0 also a realistic alternative.
