The Copa Libertadores group stage begins this week and there’s plenty of value in the early rounds as the bookmakers have less to go off when pricing teams up.

One that offers potential for a bettor is based in Uruguay, as Liverpool Montevideo host Ecuadorian outfit Independiente del Valle. The first important bit to note is that the hosts will not be allowed to play at their home ground due to it not meeting CONMEBOL regulations.

As they did last year, they will play at Estadio Centenario in front of zero fans.

Their manager, who guided them to success last year and into their first Libertadores group stage, has since left to join Mexican outfit Leon. He didn’t go alone, taking key players from Liverpool as they looked for much needed funds for their new stadium which is currently being built.

Ruben Bentancourt, their top goalscorer, has moved to domestic rivals Nacional, sensing a better opportunity with them.

With no funds to bring anyone else in, Liverpool have failed to win any of their five league matches to date and were also knocked out of the Copa Uruguay.

With a small, inexperienced squad, they come up against one of Ecuador’s top teams. With Javier Gandolfi leaving Argentine club Talleres to join the exciting project, it’s an indication as to where Ecuadorian football is at the moment. In Kendry Paez, soon to be on his way to Chelsea, a key player in the middle, there’s quality in and around the final third that Liverpool won’t be able to cope with.

Anything priced above evens catches the eye, so make sure you take advantage of this good looking price.

Liverpool won this exact fixture last year 1-0, but it’s a completely different squad this time round, and they’ll be lucky to win a match in the group stage in 2024.