Preview: Boca Juniors vs. Fluminense - prediction, team news, lineups

Boca Juniors are looking to become seven-time winners of South America's biggest club competition, while Fluminense are aiming to lift the trophy for the first time in their history.

Match preview

Boca Juniors have experienced quite the journey to reach the Copa Libertadores final for the first time since finishing runners-up to bitter rivals River Plate in 2018.

After breezing through the group stages with 13 points from six games, Boca Juniors seemingly saved all the drama for the knockout rounds, where all three ties were settled by a penalty shootout.

Jorge Almiron's charges first held their nerve to eliminate Nacional of Uruguay in the last-16, before they repeated the feat in the quarter-final against fellow Argentinian side Racing Club after both teams failed to find the net over two legs of football.

Sensationally, their semi-final clash with Brazilian club Palmeiras was also decided by penalties after the tie finished 1-1 on aggregate, and once again, Boca Juniors were the victors as former Manchester United goalkeeper Sergio Romero made two crucial saves in the shootout to send his side through to their 12th Copa Libertadores final.

Boca Juniors go into Saturday's final with hopes of winning the competition for the first time since 2007, and a successful outing would see them move level with record winners Independiente as seven-time champions.

Fluminense have only ever appeared in a Copa Libertadores final on one previous occasion when they lost on penalties to Ecuadorian side LDU Quito in 2008.

Having been made to wait 15 years, Fluminense are back in the biggest game in the South American football calendar, as they look to become the 11th different Brazilian side to win the competition.

After topping their group on goal difference, Fernando Diniz's troops claimed a 3-1 aggregate victory over Argentinos Juniors 3-1 in the last 16, before they hammered Olimpia 5-1 over two legs to set up an all-Brazilian semi-final against Internacional.

While the first leg finished as a 2-2 draw, the return fixture looked to be going the way of Internacional following Gabriel Mercado's eight-minute opener, however, Fluminense managed to stage a late turnaround, as John Kennedy and German Cano grabbed a goal apiece in the closing 10 minutes to send their side through to the final.

Not only do Fluminense have the chance to win their first Copa Libertadores final, but they can achieve the feat in their home stadium, the iconic Maracana in Rio de Janeiro.

Boca Juniors Copa Libertadores form:

D

W

D

W

D

W

Boca Juniors form (all competitions):

Fluminense Copa Libertadores form:

D

W

W

W

D

W

Fluminense form (all competitions):

L

D

L

W

L

L

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Team News

Boca Juniors are unable to call upon the services of Exequiel Zeballos, who is sidelined with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, while former Man United defender Marcos Rojo is suspended after being sent off in the semi-final second leg against Palmeiras.

Dario Benedetto missed last Saturday's goalless draw with Estudiantes, but the forward should shake off a knock to take his place on the bench for the final.

Experienced striker Edinson Cavani has scored three goals in 13 competitive appearances since joining the club in July, and the Uruguayan is expected to start up front alongside his compatriot Miguel Merentiel.

As for the Brazilian side, they remain without long-term absentee Jorge, but they are set to welcome Felipe Melo and Nino back into the matchday squad.

Defender Samuel Xavier is available to start Saturday's showpiece event after serving a one-match suspension in the second leg of Fluminense's semi-final win over Internacional.

After netting 12 goals in the Copa Libertadores this season, Cano is the leading scorer in the 2023 competition, and he will be key to Fluminense's chances of claiming a famous victory.

Boca Juniors possible starting lineup:

Romero; Advincula, Figal, Valentini, Fabra; Medina, Pol, E. Fernandez, Barco; Merentiel, Cavani

Fluminense possible starting lineup:

Fabio; Xavier, Nino, Marlon, Marcelo; Andre; Arias, Ganso, Keno; Cano, Kennedy

We say: Boca Juniors 1-2 Fluminense

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