Auckland City vs Boca Juniors Tips, Predictions and Bet Builder

Part-timers Auckland City were always going to be up against it in Group C of the Club World Cup and they have suffered two heavy defeats against Bayern Munich and Benfica.

Boca Juniors competed well against the European contenders, drawing 2-2 with Benfica before a 2-1 defeat to Bayern and they are overwhelming favourites to beat Auckland on Tuesday.

If Benfica lose to Bayern then Boca could pip them to second place in this Club World Cup group, providing they overturn a goal-difference deficit of seven.

Auckland City vs Boca Juniors Tips Summary

Market	Tip	Odds
Match Result	Boca Juniors	1/150
Best Bet	Boca Juniors to win 5-0	11/2
Bet Builder	Miguel Merentiel to score first, Myer Bevan 1+ shot, Under 7 Boca Juniors goals	17/2

Key Match Stats

• Auckland City have faced 33 shots on target in their first two Group C games

• Both teams have scored in one of Auckland's last seven matches

• Boca Juniors have scored only five goals in their last five games in all competitions

• Boca conceded just five second-half goals in 18 league matches this season

• The Argentinian side have not won any of their last six matches in 90 minutes

Auckland City vs Boca Juniors Prediction

Best Bet: Boca Juniors to win 5-0 @ 11/2

Bayern Munich thrashed Auckland City 10-0 on matchday one, but the New Zealanders stood firm until first-half injury-time in their 6-0 defeat to Benfica.

Two of the six goals Auckland conceded against the Eagles came from the penalty spot and they kept Bayern out for the first 23 minutes of the second half.

Boca should run out comfortable winners, but Auckland's compact 5-4-1 formation could keep the scoreline respectable and a 5-0 correct score looks a good bet.

James Milton explains:

Auckland City showed some defensive resilience in the first half of their defeat to Benfica and they could restrict Boca Juniors to a 5-0 win on matchday three.

Auckland City vs Boca Juniors Bet Builder Tip

• Miguel Merentiel to score first

• Myer Bevan 1+ shot

• Under 7 Boca Juniors goals

  Pays 17/2

Striker Miguel Merentiel scored for Boca in their defeat to Bayern and, having notched six league goals in 647 minutes this term, he can open the scoring on Tuesday.

Auckland City's top scorer Myer Bevan had a shot from distance in the defeat to Benfica and he should register at least one attempt against the South Americans.

Complete the Bet Builder by backing under 7 Boca Juniors goals as the hot favourites are winless in six matches and are depleted by injuries and suspensions.

Learn more about how Bet Builders work in our Bet Builder guide

James Milton adds:

Merentiel has led the line well for Boca and he can be backed to open the scoring. Bevan had some bright moments for Auckland and the underdogs may be able to keep the scoring down.

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Tactics, Form and Team News

Nathan Garrow replaced Conor Tracey in the Auckland goal for the Benfica game and he should keep his place in the starting line-up.

Garrow made 10 saves in the 6-0 loss to the Portuguese giants and Auckland manager Paul Posa is likely to select a similar team for the clash with Boca.

Posa missed the 10-0 opening defeat to Bayern as he was recovering from minor surgery, but he returned to the dugout for the Benfica game.

Forward Angus Kilkolly was an unused substitute against Benfica, but he forced Manuel Neuer into a late save after coming off the bench against Bayern and will be hoping for another opportunity.

Expected Auckland City line-up (5-4-1): Garrow; Murati, Boxall, Den Heijer, Mitchell, Lobo; Yoo, Garriga, Ilich, Manickum; Bevan.

Boca Juniors expect to have veteran striker Edinson Cavani back on the bench, although he is unlikely to displace top scorer Merentiel in the starting line-up.

Ander Herrera and Nicolas Figal remain suspended after their red cards against Benfica on matchday one and there are fitness doubts over defenders Marcos Rojo and Ayrton Costa.

Boca won seven of their first eight home matches in the Argentinian top-flight, but their away form is less convincing and they have conceded crucial late goals in their first two CWC fixtures.

They let slip a 2-0 lead to draw with Benfica after Herrera's dismissal and Bayern winger Michael Olise scored an 84th-minute winner against Boca on matchday two.

Expected Boca Juniors line-up (4-2-3-1): Marchesin; Advincula, Battaglia, Pellegrino, Blanco; Belmonte, Zenon; Zeballos, Palacios, Velasco; Merentiel.

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.