Cerro Porteno (Par) – Defensor Sp. (Uru) Prediction & Picks (14.03.2018)

Cerro Porteño and Defensor Sporting meet at Estadio General Pablo Rojas, in a match for this phase of the Copa Libertadores (Group Stage). There is no recent record of direct confrontations between these two teams, who have not played any matches in the last 3 years. The last time they met was on 06-09-2005, in a match that ended with the final score: Defensor Sporting (1-1) Cerro Porteño. Attention to the home factor, since Cerro Porteño usually conquer different results at home and abroad.

Cerro Porteño:

The home team comes to this 2nd round of Group 1 after a victory in its opening in this group stage, against Monagas, by (0-2). This is a team that usually makes good use of the home advantage, stronger with the help of its supporters, since in the last 30 matches they register 6 wins, 3 draws and 6 losses in away matches; against 11 victories and 4 draws in his stadium. In the last match they played, for the Professional Division, they lost to Olimpia by (1-0). In the last 10 home matches Cerro Porteño has 8 wins and 2 draws. They have not been very strong defensively, since they have suffered goals in 8 of the last 10 matches, but their offense has scored frequently, since they have scored goals in 9 of the last 10 matches. In 15 games, they only got 1 comeback in the 5 games in which they suffered the first goal.

After starting on the right foot, after conquering the victory away from home in the first round against Monagas, the Paraguayan team leads their group with three points conquered. It is important to observe his performance at the beginning of the Paraguayan Championship, in which so far, in two games, he did not know defeats, having won one match and tied another. In this context presented an average of 2 goals scored and one suffered, showing mainly a great offensive performance. Another important fact is that Cerro Porteño won only one duel in six disputed at the beginning of the Paraguayan Championship, having in this context encountered greater difficulties outside their domains. For this game, coach Luis Zebeldía will have to line up his team in 4-4-2, with a highlight for strikers A. Oviedo Álvarez and D. Churín, the latter being the team’s top scorer until here, for the First Division, with three goals scored.

Sporting Defender:

The visiting team arrives at this 2nd round of Group 1 after a draw in its opening in this group stage, against elGrêmio, by (1-1). This is a team that usually maintains its competitive level in home and away matches, since in the last 30 matches they register 8 wins, 4 draws and 3 losses in away matches; against 10 wins, 2 draws and 3 losses at their stadium. In the last match they played, for the First Division, they lost with Nacional by (2-0). In the last 10 away matches Defensor Sporting has won 4, tied 2 and lost 4. They have not been very strong defensively, since they have suffered goals in 8 of the last 10 matches. In 15 matches, he suffered the first goal 7 times and only managed 2 comebacks.

Currently in third place, after a draw in their domains against the Gremio, the visiting team is now looking for their first victory in the competition. In spite of that, this confrontation will take place outside their domains, being in this context their first duel for the Copa Libertadores of 2018. Given this, it is important to observe their performance away from home by the First Division of Uruguay in 2018, in the that so far, in three matches, he still has not won, since he tied a game and lost two. His average of goals scored is only 0.67 and that of goals suffered is 1.67, showing that he is leaving to be desired in both sectors. We emphasize that the team, in its start of competition, won three in six games in total, however, these three victories were at home. For this confrontation the technician Eduardo Acevedo will have to align to his equipment in 3-4-2-1, that is to say, prioritizing his defensive sector and mainly the attacks by the flanks. The most advanced player should be G. Rivero, who until now has scored three goals in the Uruguayan Championship.