A very different Boca Juniors will head to Bolivia on Thursday morning to face Nacional Potosi in their opening Copa Sudamericana match.

It’s no secret by now that Bolivian teams have a huge advantage over travelling opponents due to high altitude, and this match based in Potosi will be no different. The thin air will make life very difficult for the Argentines.

However, it’s not just the altitude which gives Nacional the edge in this fixture. Boca have sent a squad mixed with reserve/youth players. As we can see from the squad list, Edinson Cavani, Luca Langoni, Cristian Medina, Ezequiel Fernandez and Marcos Rojo did not travel to Bolivia.

We saw Gremio send a reserve squad to face The Strongest last night in La Paz, they were beaten 2-0. Palmeiras and Fluminense did the same last year, and it’s a reoccurring theme between Brazilian and Argentine clubs who are happy to wave the white flag before kick off.

Nacional’s home form has been very strong, and they’ll relish playing a weakened Boca side who’s journey isn’t the easiest to get to their destination. Back Nacional Potosi to win the match at odds-against quotes.