Boca Juniors will host São Paulo this Tuesday, September 8 at La Bombonera, in the first leg of the 2026 CONMEBOL Sudamericana quarterfinals. The Brazilian side arrives for the tie after improving its form in recent weeks, but it also carries a statistic that could become an important factor in the opening match of the series: São Paulo have not won away from home in five months.
The statistic hurting São Paulo ahead of facing Boca
São Paulo head into the Copa Sudamericana quarterfinals with a major issue away from home: they have gone five months and 12 consecutive matches without an away win.
Their last away victory came on April 7, when they defeated Boston River 1-0 at the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo on the opening matchday of the Sudamericana group stage. Since that night, São Paulo have played 12 away matches without recording another victory.
Twelve away matches without a win
The run consists of eight defeats and four draws across the different competitions played by São Paulo. During that stretch, the club suffered losses against teams such as Chapecoense and Remo in the Brasileirão, lost the derby against Corinthians and was eliminated from the Copa do Brasil by Juventude.
The coaching change has not altered that trend so far either. Dorival Júnior is still searching for his first away win since taking charge and has now gone 13 away matches without a victory during his current spell.
The statistic contrasts with the team’s recent improvement at home. São Paulo travel to Buenos Aires after beating Atlético Mineiro 2-0 at MorumBIS, a result that ended their opponent’s 14-match unbeaten run and which Dorival described as one of the team’s best performances since his arrival.
La Bombonera, the next challenge
The next opportunity to end the run will come in one of the most demanding venues in South American football. Boca and São Paulo will meet on Tuesday at 9:30 PM at La Bombonera, in what will be the fifth knockout tie between the two clubs in CONMEBOL competitions.
However, the numbers also provide some encouragement for the Brazilian side: São Paulo have won seven of their last nine matches against Argentine opposition in CONMEBOL competitions. Three of those victories came away from home, against Racing in the 2021 Libertadores, Tigre in the 2023 Sudamericana and Talleres in the 2025 Libertadores.
Boca also have less-than-ideal away numbers
The importance of taking an advantage in Buenos Aires becomes even greater when looking at the recent away form of both teams. Boca have also struggled on the road since the return of Rodolfo Arruabarrena.
The Xeneize have won just one of the seven away matches played during this spell: the victory over Recoleta in Paraguay. In the other six, they recorded four draws and two defeats.
That makes the first leg even more significant. São Paulo will try to end a five-month away winless run, while Boca will look to make the most of La Bombonera before a second leg in Brazil where their own away form also offers few guarantees.
