Matchday three of group E of the Copa Libertadores sees Bolivian side Always Ready host Colombian side Deportivo Cali at the Estadio Municipal de El Alto. All four teams in the group are even on points at three apiece although Deportivo Cali find themselves in first while Always Ready sit bottom due to goal differential. Both teams have not been in the best of form leading up to this match with the hosts failing to win in their last four matches while Deportivo Cali have been on a run of three losses and two draws in their last five. Given the tough competition in the group with the likes of South American giants Boca Juniors and Corinthians, this match should be viewed as a must-win for each team's hopes of advancing to the knockout stages. Cali are coming off back-to-back home losses in the Colombian Primera A while Always Ready are coming off a 1-1 away draw against Real Tomayapo on the weekend.
Always Ready have been referred to in recent years as the “Bolivian PSG” due to their new, wealthy ownership that invested substantially into the club. La Banda Roja have experienced recent success as a result, gaining promotion in 2018 before going on to win the first division title in 2020 for the first time since 1957. It’s been a tough start to the 2022 campaign as last season’s runners-up have started with a record of 3-3-4 and sit sixth out of eight in group B of the league. However, Always Ready have the massive advantage of playing their home matches in the highest altitude stadium in the world - even higher than the Bolivian national team’s Estadio Hernando Siles, a venue infamous with rival teams who often experience a dramatic dip in performance due to the thin air. This is a golden opportunity for Always Ready to get back on track and pick up what would be a huge three points in front of their home fans against a Cali team that has struggled to get results away from home.We’re going with the Bolivians Always Ready to win this match and we’ll take them on the standard 1X2 line here. The home field advantage for the Bolivian side cannot be overstated and it is likely that Cali will struggle to cope with the extreme altitude. Despite the line being a bit low, we’re willing to pay the juice as we still see some value in this one.