Copa Libertadores: favourites, dark horses and players to watch

The Copa Libertadores is arguably the most entertaining club competition in football, and the 2019 edition gets under way on Tuesday.

Less than three months has passed since River Plate overcame arch-rivals Boca Juniors in a dramatic Superclásico final that will be remembered for years to come – for good and bad reasons.

An attack on Boca's team bus as it made its way to El Monumental resulted in River losing the opportunity to host the second leg of the showpiece at home, with CONMEBOL controversially taking the game to Madrid instead.

The final will take place at a neutral venue again in 2019, with the Estadio Nacional in Santiago earmarked to stage the first one-off finale in the competition's history.

But who could make a run to the latter stages and who are the players to look out for in the tournament that never ceases to provide phenomenal theatre? 

THE FAVOURITES

Palmeiras

The reigning Brazilian champions have strengthened since winning their second title in three seasons in December, with the arrivals of Ricardo Goulart and Carlos Eduardo adding to an impressive attack that already featured Colombia international Miguel Borja and tricky winger Dudu.

River Plate

Still a force to be reckoned with despite the departures of Gonzalo 'Pity' Martínez and Jonatan Maidana, River will bid to become the first back-to-back champions since arch-rivals Boca in 2001. Retaining the services of coach Marcelo Gallardo might have been key to their chances of doing that.

Boca Juniors

Gustavo Alfaro took over from Guillermo Barros Schelotto in the wake of last year's final defeat, while a number of important players followed him out of the door, Wilmar Barrios, Pablo Pérez and Lisandro Magallán chief among them. However, young attackers Sebastian Villa and Cristian Pavón and tenacious midfielder Nahitan Nández remain, ensuring Boca will continue to be a threat.

Flamengo

Exciting new additions through the spine of the team in Uruguay midfielder Giorgian de Arrascaeta, ball-playing centre-back and former Barcelona target Rodrigo Caio, electric winger Vitinho and Brazil international Gabriel Barbosa make the Carioca giants an exciting prospect. Head coach Abel Braga led Internacional to the trophy in 2006. 

THE DARK HORSES

Universidad Catolica

Benat San Jose guided Catolica to the 2018 Chilean Primera title and former Ecuador boss Gustavo Quinteros will hope to continue his good work after the Spaniard was tempted away by Al-Nasr. However, they are in a tough Group H alongside Grêmio, Libertad and Rosario Central.

Junior

The Colombian side had their best run in the Copa Sudamericana in 2018, only losing to Athletico Paranaense in the final after a penalty shoot-out. The hot and humid conditions in Barranquilla can often cause visiting teams problems and they have made an unbeaten start to the Primera A Apertura.

Olimpia

Having been drawn alongside Godoy Cruz, Universidad de Concepcion and Sporting Cristal, Olimpia should be able to advance to the latter stages with a decent seeding. They have plenty of experience in Dario Verón, Antolín Alcáraz and Roque Santa Cruz, while Néstor Camacho and Jorge Ortega offer a threat in front of goal. 

THE PLAYERS TO WATCH

Darío Benedetto (Boca)

Argentina international Benedetto returned from a string of serious injuries to spearhead Boca's push for the title in 2018, scoring five goals across the semi-final and showpiece. If he can stay fit, he has the experience to be a key component of another deep run.

Jarlan Barrera (Rosario Central)

The second cousin of Colombian legend Carlos Valderrama was highly sought-after when his Junior contract came to an end at the conclusion of last year and Central won the race for his signature. Barrera, 23, assisted eight goals and scored seven of his own in the Primera A last season.

Lucas Silva (Cruzeiro)

Real Madrid loanee Silva is desperate to get his career back on track and prove he can still make the grade at the Santiago Bernabéu. Having sat on the bench for most of the two-legged final as Cruzeiro lifted the Copa do Brasil last year, he will be keen to establish himself as more of a central figure in the Libertadores.

Fernando Ovelar (Cerro Porteno)

Ovelar was only 14 years old when scored the opening goal in a 2-2 derby draw against Olimpia last November. A broken arm has stopped him featuring for Paraguay Under-17s and his club in 2019, but the teenager is certainly worth looking out for should he recover in time to make his Libertadores bow. 

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