Boca Juniors vs O'Higgins predictions headline Thursday night's Copa Sudamericana round-of-32 action.

Boca Juniors is set to host O'Higgins in the first leg of their Copa Sudamericana round-of-32 tie at La Bombonera. The Argentine giants enter this competition after a disappointing third-place finish in their Copa Libertadores group. O'Higgins, a Chilean underdog, qualified for this stage by finishing second in Group C behind Sao Paulo. This encounter represents a historic milestone for O'Higgins, marking their debut in the tournament's knockout phase.

Head coach Claudio Ubeda was dismissed by Boca Juniors on June 2nd following their Libertadores exit, with Arruabarrena taking over on June 18th. The team has shown signs of recovery under Arruabarrena, securing two recent wins without conceding. However, their home form has been inconsistent. O'Higgins, managed by Lucas Bovaglio, achieved a notable success by progressing from their group. They secured their passage with a 2-1 victory over Millonarios in their final group match. Despite their group stage success, O'Higgins' away record remains a concern, with only one road win during the group stage.

Boca Juniors is experiencing a significant injury crisis, with several key players sidelined. Goalkeeper Agustin Marchesin and midfielder Rodrigo Battaglia are long-term absentees. Midfielder Leandro Paredes is a major doubt due to potential fitness concerns from recent World Cup final participation. O'Higgins also has injury concerns, with Bryan Rabello and Martin Sarrafiore facing late fitness tests. This match is the first competitive meeting between the two clubs. Historically, Boca Juniors has a strong record against Chilean opposition in the Copa Sudamericana, remaining undefeated.