Apertura 2013 Week 4: Cerro Porteño vs Libertad and Luque vs Guarani previews

Cerro Porteño vs Libertad is the headline act on Sunday but before the Copa Libertadores competitors face off there is an intriguing match between Sportivo Luqueño and Guarani with Pablo Caballero under great pressure to get a result against his old club. Following last weekend’s derby defeat the Luque coach offered his resignation which wasn’t accepted by the board.

Sportivo Luqueño vs Guarani
Feliciano Cáceres, Luque
03/03/2013; 17:30 (20:30 GMT)
TV: Unicanal (Paraguay)

After 270 minutes of football, Luque are yet to register a goal in the Apertura although they have also only conceded once. Guaraní on the other hand are the joint topscorers with seven strikes in three matches and are looking to bounce back from their first defeat of the season. Luque’s last win in this fixture was in March 2011, since then they’ve lost five and drawn two.

Teams in the last game at Feliciano Caceres – Photo: Prensa Club Sportivo Luqueño

Pablo Caballero’s side can’t buy a goal – but it isn’t a new problem – in last year’s Apertura when he managed today’s opponents Guaraní he often struggled to break teams down or find the net. With the departure of last year’s captain and topscorer (from right back!) Claudio David Vargas the auriazul are finding it hard to score. The good news for Caballero is that Benfica have loaned back the extremely talented Claudio Correa who is likely to start today.

Guarani have been looking good this year, even in the defeat to Olimpia they created plenty of chances and threatened to equalise. Luis de la Cruz is doing very well and maturing as a player, Rodrigo Teixeira and Dante López are beginning to gel up front with the Brazilian netting in his last two games. The only injury is to goalkeeper Paulo Aurrecochea who is replaced by Alfredo Aguilar.

This could be yet another win for the aurinegro and more problems for Luque.

Prediction: 0-1

Best Bet: The away win looks like good odds at 2.36

Luque XI (probable): Ever Caballero; Victor Dávalos, Gonzalo Maulella, Denis Caniza, Ariel Coronel; William Schuster, Reinaldo Ocampo, Juan Abente, Juan Pablo Raponi; Ariel Bogado, Claudio Correa

Guarani XI (probable): Alfredo Aguilar; Tomas Bartomeus, Julio Cesar Caceres, Luis Cabral, Edgar Aranda; Luis de la Cruz, Marcelo Palau, Miguel Paniagua, Ivan Gonzalez Ferreira; Dante Lopez, Rodrigo Teixeira

There is a live market of this game available on Betfair

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Libertad vs Cerro Porteño
Defensores del Chaco, Asunción
03/03/2013; 19:40 (22:40 GMT)
TV: Unicanal (Paraguay)

Arguably the last thing either side wanted before crucial home Copa Libertadores games next week is what is an ‘unofficial clásico’ between the most successful Paraguayan sides this century, Cerro and Libertad have picked up 14 of the 18 domestic titles on offer since 2000. Both managers are treating this fixture with the respect it deserves so expect full strength sides in what promises to be a full-blooded contest.

Oviedo and Velazquez battle it out in a previous meeting – Photo: D10.com.py

Libertad have been so good this year, the only belmish a defeat to Nacional last week, but they bounced back immediately with a fabulous victory over Palmeiras. See my previous blogs for what I think of Guiñazu, but also the best partnership in Paraguayan football is undoubtedly José Ariel Nuñez and Pablo Velázquez – the two complement each other so well. To complete the set let’s look at the defence, by far the best backline in the division, they are so strong in all areas.

Cerro are full of plenty of talent themselves, the Oviedo-Dos Santos-Fabbro trinity is so destructive when it clicks and the recent incorporation up front Angel Romero looks like a fantastic talent. He is full of clever runs and can make the space that Fabbro needs to work his magic. The defence is going to be tested today with a lot of pressure on young Teodoro Paredes shoulders who plays at centre-back.

It could well be a draw, but if anybody is going to snatch this I think Libertad have the edge.

Prediction: 2-1

Best Bet: BTTS seems good because although Libertad are strong defensively they’ve only one cleansheet in 8 meetings with Cerro

Cerro Porteño XI (probable): Diego Barreto; Carlos Bonet, Teodoro Paredes, Luis Cardozo, Sergio Vergara; Mathias Corujo, Fidencio Oviedo, Julio dos Santos; Jonathan Fabbro; Angel Romero, Santiago Salcedo

Libertad XI (probable): Rodrigo Muñoz; Jorge Moreira, Pedro Benítez, Ismael Benegas, Gustavo Mencia; Nelson Romero, Pablo Guiñazú, Osmar Molinas, William Mendieta; Pablo Velázquez, José Ariel Nuñez

There is a live market of this game available on Betfair

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Non-televised matches

Gral Díaz vs Sol de América
Ricardo Gregor, Asunción
03/03/2013; 17:30 (20:30 GMT)
Prediction: 1-0

The league leaders look unstoppable at the moment, well organised and with the ability to score at least once each game. Sol de América deceived us with a fantastic win on the opening day but haven’t been as impressive since. The momentum is with the aguilas and I really think this could be their fourth straight win.

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Capiatá vs Nacional
Estadio de Capiatá, Capiatá
03/03/2013; 17:30 (20:30 GMT)
Prediction: 1-3

Nacional did very well in the previous game against Libertad and have been finding the net in each game which is bad news for the home side who have been leaking goals. Even in the Intermedia they didn’t manage to string together a lot of back-to-back wins which makes me think the points will go to the away side in this one.

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Cerro de Franco vs Carapeguá
Estadio Felipe Gimenez, Presidente Franco
03/03/2013; 17:30 (20:30 GMT)
Prediction: 2-1

Last year’s promoted sides face off in the eastern border of the country, the home advantage is likely to be enough in this one with Carapeguá always struggling outside of Paraguarí department. In fact Cerro de Franco have won all four meetings between these two teams in Primera. If anything there should be goals from both sides with neither defence very strong.

By Ralph Hannah

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Copa Libertadores 2013: Tigre vs Libertad preview

Tigre vs Libertad
José Dellagiovanna, Victoria
21/02/2013; 21:30 (01:30 GMT)
Group Stages
TV: Fox Sports (Paraguay); ESPN (UK)

Game 111 for Libertad in the Copa Libertadores and their first against Tigre (although they did play Mexican club Tigres back in 2006) the runners-up in the 2012 Copa Sudamericana. In 12 previous trips to Argentina the Gumarelo have won on just three ocassions in 2007, 2009 and 2010 against Banfield, San Lorenzo and Lanús respecitvely. Their previous trip was the 2011 Quarter Final that ended in a 3-0 defeat to Velez Sarsfield in La Bombonera.

Libertad arrive in Tigre – Photo: D10.com.py courtesy of Prensa Libertad

Ruben Israel will play a 4-4-2 and the key member of the side is a man with four different continental titles to his name, Pablo Guiñazú won the Copa Libertadores, Sudamericana, Suruga Bank and Recopa Sudamericana between 2008-2011 with Internacional. The veteran midfielder will sit deep and orchestrate from the centre circle, his lack of pace more than compensated for by his precise first touch and excellent vision. Israel bases his side on a tight defence and Ganso Benítez can bring plenty of experience having faced Tigre last year with Cerro Porteño in the Sudamericana.

Guiñazu (Left) leads the players out of the hotel – Photo: D10.com.py courtesy of Prensa Libertad

Tigre embark on their first continental game since that infamous night in São Paulo that saw them withdraw at halftime, awarding the title to the Brazilians by default. Nestor Gorosito is still at the helm and under him last year they were very strong at home in the Sudamericana so expect them to come out all guns blazing early on.

Tigre XI (probable): Javier García; Alejandro Donatti, Mariano Echeverría, Lucas Orba; Gaston Díaz, Diego Ferreira, Gabriel Peñalba, Sebastian Rusculleda; Matías Pérez García, Ruben Botta; Ezequiel Maggiolo.

Libertad XI (possible): Rodrigo Muñoz; Jorge Moreira, Pedro Benitez, Ismael Benegas, Miguel Samudio; Sebastian Eguren, Sergio Aquino, Pablo Guiñazu, William Mendieta; Pablo Velazquez, José Ariel Nuñez

Prediction: 0-1

Selected Odds: Tigre win 2.2, Draw 3.4, Libertad win 3.9, 0-1 win 12.0, Under 2.5 goals 1.71

Best Bet: Libertad DNB (Draw No Bet) looks good at 2.74

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Stats

Libertad head-to-head vs Argentine opposition (Copa Libertadores)

Pld 24 W 8 D 4 L 12 GF 22 GA 32

Libertad last 5 away (Copa Libertadores)

Pld 5 W 2 D 2 L 1 GF 6 GA 6

Libertad have reached the Quarter Finals in their previous four continental competitions

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By Ralph Hannah

Authors Note: All odds are selected from Betfair Sports and accurate at the time of writing, there is a live market on this game

For more football previews check out CaStRoF’s betting tips

Apertura 2013 Week 2: Libertad vs Rubio Ñu preview

Libertad vs Rubio Ñu
Tuyucuá, Asunción
15/02/2013; 19:00 (22:00 GMT)
TV: Unicanal (Paraguay)

Libertad’s first home game of the season against what seems to be a stronger Rubio Ñu side than last year, after all they won and kept a cleansheet in their opener. The match at the Nicolas Leóz has been moved forward to Friday with the Guma’s Copa Libertadores match next week taken into account.

Expect this side to line-up – Photo: Club Libertad

Despite that match, Libertad aren’t expected to rest anybody and will go out with the same starting XI as against Guaraní. The key player in that game was Pablo Guiñazú who will look to dominate the midfield and ensure possession for his side, up front José Ariel Nuñez and Pablo Velázquez are the dangermen.

Chiqui Arce’s side thrive on possession football which means this evening could be difficult for the albiverde who are likely to be relying on goalkeeper Carlos Servín for much of the match. Midfielders Osvaldo Hobecker and Domingo Salcedo will be vital if they are to get anything from this game.

The previous meeting between the sides was 7-2 in favour of Libertad, I wouldn’t expect that today but a home win is on the cards.

Prediction: 2-0

Best Bet: Libertad will be short, the game could go over 2.5 so betting on unders isn’t that safe, maybe the Libertad/Libertad offers the best value knowing that they like to score in the first half

Libertad XI (probable): Rodrigo Muñoz; Jorge Moreira, Pedro Benítez, Ismael Benegas, Miguel Samudio; Nelson Romero, Pablo Guiñazú, Sergio Aquino, William Mendieta; Pablo Velázquez, José Ariel Nuñez

Rubio Ñu XI (probable): Carlos Servín; Gustavo Gimenez, Oscar Ayala, Oscar Velazquez, Nelson Ruiz; Osvaldo Hobecker, José Báez, Pablo Espinoza, Domingo Salcedo; Hugo Lusardi; Jorge Benítez

There is a live market of this game available on Betfair

By Ralph Hannah

Five reasons why Libertad won the 2012 Clausura

Congratulations to Libertad who won six straight games while their rivals Nacional and Guaraní stumbled and ultimately succumbed to the pressure of the title race. Here we look at five reasons why Tuyucuá is celebrating…

Libertad win their 16th title – Photo: D10.com.py

1. Double Act up front

Libertad scored 44 goals during the Clausura campaign with the strike pairing of José Ariel Nuñez and Pablo Velázquez contributing to just over half of that total. The two players are rather different in style – Nuñez is a workhorse and runs himself into the ground every game but he doesn’t lack ability and uses his pace to get in behind defenders and is a top finisher. Velazquez offers different problems, he likes to receive the ball with his back to goal and bring players in around him, a much more physical player. Together they were too good for everybody with Libertad only failing to score three times.

2. Youth set-up

For several years Libertad have had the best youth system in Paraguay by a long stretch, it really came into play in the Clausura when the APF introduced a foreign-player limit. In contrast to Olimpia who had litte resources to call upon, the Gumarelo have such a strong squad made up of Paraguyans they had no problem adapting to the new rule. It isn’t just the aforementioned attacking duo but also the defenders Gustavo Mencia, Ismael Benegas and Nery Bareiro who were crucial in the tournament.

3. Early goals at the right time

In the last six games Libertad scored after 2 minutes twice and after 3 minutes in another game – previous to that they had scored after 3 minutes against Tacuary and were two goals up after 11 minutes against Nacional. Those early goals acted as a pressure-release and it meant they didn’t struggle like Guaraní and Nacional in the run-in.

4. Olimpia and Cerro

Both the 2011 Clausura and 2012 Apertura were dominated by the traditional top two who were playing some tremendous football at times and really raised the bar. Without wanting to take away from the Guma’s achievement there is no doubt that this was one of the worst Olimpia sides in a long time, winning just two matches outside of Para Uno and getting beaten 4-1 on three separate occassions to Cerro Porteño, Nacional and incredibly Carapeguá. As for Cerro Porteño they were distracted by the Copa Sudamericana and their last chance of winning the domestic championship was blown when they were beaten by Libertad in a tense game.

5. Ruben Israel

Israel wins his fifth title – Photo: D10.com.py

The final showdown was between three managers – two that had been players in 2011 and then the man who had four Paraguayan titles to his name and had just revived the fortunes of the El Salvador national side. Ruben Israel had been there and done it all before and it showed, this was his fifth league championship with the Gumarelo having previously won in 2007, both the Apertura and Clausura in 2008 before taking the 2010 Clausura which until Sunday was Libertad’s most recent trophy. Both Gustavo Moringío and Diego Alonso must be credited for an excellent season and this experience will put them in good stead for future title races.

By Ralph Hannah

Paraguay Clausura 2012 title decider – Libertad vs Luque and Rubio Ñu vs Guaraní

Libertad vs Luque
Tuyucuá
16/12/2012; 17:15 (20:15 GMT)

Libertad can win their sixth title since 2006 by beating a Luque team with nothing to play for having secured survival last week. Ruben Israel’s side have scored the most goals and conceded the least so far in the Clausura so they seem worthy candidates of the title. The key two up front have been José Ariel Nuñez and Pablo Velázquez, the former quick and hard-running the latter more physical with a great ability to hold up the ball.

Just one more win needed – Photo: Prensa Club Libertad

Luque have relied heavily on captain Claudio David Vargas for his goals but it has been their strong defence that has brought results and a fifth-placed finish that helped keep them up. Pablo Caballero will feel revindicated having had a great 2011 with Independiente before struggling at Guaraní during the Apertura.

Libertad know the championship is within their grasp and I would be surprised if they were to let this slip.

Prediction: 3-0

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Rubio Ñu vs Guaraní
La Arboleda
16/12/2012; 17:15 (20:15 GMT)

A ‘no-pressure’ game in theory for Guaraní, they just need to win and hope that by some miracle Libertad fail to overcome Luque. Guaraní’s season has hinged on the goalscoring form of Diego Centurión and the much-improved creativity thanks to the signing of Sergio Orteman, the pick up in form of Dante López. Of course, Diego Alonso should be credited for the improved organisation and better team selection such as giving Iván Gonzalez Ferreira a starting place.

Guarani and Rubio Ñu meet again – Photo: D10.com.py

Rubio Ñu just want this year to be over, they’ve leaked goals and since Derlis Gonzalez and Claudio Correa headed off to Benfica the albiverde have also had trouble finding the net. They picked up a surprise win against Tacuary but you have to go back to April to find a victory against a non-relegated side.

My feeling is that Guaraní won’t have a problem getting the win, but will it be enough?

Prediction: 1-2

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Championship permutations

Libertad win league if:

• They win
• They draw and Guarani lose or draw
• They lose and Guarani draw causing a three-way tie at the top, Libertad have the best goal difference

Guarani win league if:

• They win and Libertad draw or lose

There will be a playoff if:

• Both Libertad and Guarani lose (playoff between Nacional and Libertad)

 

 

By Ralph Hannah

Paraguay Talent: Robin Ramirez linked with Pumas in Mexico

According to Libertad the deal for Robin Ramirez to Pumas is almost concluded, here is all you need to know about the Paraguayan striker who will hope that Mexico is a springboard to Europe.

Player Stats

Ramirez was a hit at Tolima

Name: Robin Ramirez

D.o.B: 11 November 1989

Club: Libertad, Paraguay

Hometown: Ciudad del Este, Paraguay

Height: 1.71 metres

Position: Striker

Previous Clubs: Rubio Ñu (Paraguay), Deportes Tolima (Colombia)

TOLIMA VIDEO COMPILATION

RUBIO ÑU VIDEO COMPILATION

 

Robin Ramirez is a natural goalscorer, in 2012 he became the first Paraguayan to top the Colombian scoring charts since Apolinar Paniagua in 1971, scoring 13 goals for Deportes Tolima. Previously in the 2011 Paraguay Apertura he was second topscorer with Rubio Ñu before getting four goals in seven starts for Libertad in the 2011 Clausura.

Robin Ramirez for the Albirroja

Ramirez is a versatile striker who can play on the shoulder of the last defender or as a ‘false 9’ – he has acceleration, good close control but above all an instinctive awareness of space and fantastic movement. At Tolima he was constantly finding himself in behind the defence thanks to intelligent running off the ball and he has a  is a surprise he has only a handful of caps for the national team, with Lucas Barrios and Oscar Cardozo struggling to find goals for the Albirroja he really could be the answer they need.

The forward was part of the Paraguay U20s squad that made the World Cup in 2009, playing alongside several teammates that are now in Europe such as Celso Ortiz (AZ), Luis Caballero (Krylya Sovetov), Lorenzo Melgarejo (Benfica) and Hernan Perez (Villarreal). It is his ultimate goal to ply his trade in the old continent and if he scores as freely in Mexico as he did in Colombia that dream shouldn’t be far from being realized.

By Ralph Hannah

Clausura 2012: Cerro de Franco vs Libertad preview and more

Cerro de Franco vs Libertad
Estadio Presidente Franco
07/12/2012; 17:15 (20:15 GMT)

Joint league leaders Libertad are first to play in the penultimate weekend of the season, they travel 330 km to the east of the country to face Cerro de Franco who started life under new manager Juan Manuel Battaglia with an impressive draw against Olimpia. While in theory Cerro de Franco have nothing left to play for there is likely to be a big incentive (read win bonus) for the home side coming from Nacional and Guarani.

Cerro de Franco’s stadium – Photo: D10.com.py

Cerro de Franco will put out a strong side with players desperate to get a result to improve their points total for next year’s promedio  and get a big win bonus. Top scorer Rogerio Leichtweis is unavailable (he is owned by Libertad) so Samudio and López start up front. Fulvio Duarte is back from suspension and will slot into midfield. The side are on a poor run at the moment, one goal in the previous five games (3 defeats, 2 draws).

Libertad by contrast have won their last four matches scoring 15 goals in the process! The duo of Pablo Velazquez and José Ariel Nuñez has been too hot for most defences to handle with one of the pair scoring in 9 of the previous 11 games, showing their importance to the side. If those two click it could be carnage in Alto Parana!

Prediction: 0-2

Best Bet: Away win, it might be difficult though with the home team playing for money and the heat expected to be around 35c but Libertad have won all three games without conceding against this rival so far in 2012

Cerro de Franco XI (probable): Miguel López; Gustavo Velázquez, Cristhian Rojas, Marcos Pérez, Cristian Ramírez; Fulvio Duarte, Óscar Benítez, Leonardo Delvalle, Miguel Godoy; Francisco López, Sergio Samudio

Libertad XI (probable): Rodrigo Muñoz, Aldo Olmedo, Joe Bizera, Ismael Benegas, Miguel Samudio; Nelson Romero, Sergio Aquino, Sebastian Eguren, William Mendieta, Pablo Velazquez, José Ariel Nuñez

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Tacuary vs Rubio Ñu
Estadio Roberto Bettega
07/12/2012; 19:00 (22:00 GMT)

Tacuary are involved in a three-way tie at the bottom of the league, the fact they are even in with a slim chance of survival is down to two things: the side finally playing somewhere close to their potential and the amazing scoring form of Nicolas Martinez (who I talked about in more depth here). Being at home and playing a rival that is in horrendous shape  - Rubio Ñu haven’t scored for two games, the last game they did score in they lost 7-2 – this should well be another win for the Tacuary ‘Lazarus’.

Prediction: 2-1

Best Bet: Home win

Tacuary XI (probable): Carlos Servín; Gustavo Gimenez, Gregor Aguayo, Diego Viera, Marcos Acostas Rojas; Reinaldo Ocampo, Pablo Espinoza, Juan Nuñez, Brian Montenegro, Nicolas Martínez, Ramón Cardozo

Rubio Ñu XI (probable): Blas Valenzeula; Arnaldo Rodriguez, Oscar Ayala, Oscar Velazquez, Nelson Ruiz; Angel Lucena, Gustavo Viera, Robert Piris, Diego Chamorro; Lauro Cazal, Francisco Vera

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Luque vs Independiente
Estadio Feliciano Cáceres
07/12/2012; 19:15 (22:15 GMT)

Martinez is the key for Tacuary – Photo: d10.com.py

Another relegation battle with two sides in danger still of dropping into the Intermedia. Independiente have been in freefall and even the unprecedented managerial-loan of Humberto Garcia from Gral. Diaz for two games (move over Alan Shearer!) probably won’t save them. Luque have a better side on paper, the players will be paid a bonus of 100 million guaranies if they win this game (and much more if they stay up) so I think that will prove sufficient motivation.

Prediction: 1-0

Best Bet: Home win

Luque XI (probable): Tobias Vargas; Luciano Vera, Gonzalo Maulella, Sergio Vergara, Claudio Vargas; Juan Pablo Raponi, William Schuster, Juan Abente, Edgar Robles; José Burgos, Guido di Vanni

Independiente XI (probable): Roque Cardozo; Victor Davalos, Michel Godoy, Sergio Almirón, Mario Cáceres; Michel Romero, Luis Miño, José Baez, Francisco Garcia; Gabriel Avalos, Gabriel Vieira

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By Ralph Hannah

Week 19 Wrap: Cerro and Olimpia fall off the pace with defeats to Libertad and Guarani

With three games to go it is a three-horse race for the championship as Guaraní lead Libertad and Nacional by one point. The former two have fairly easy run ins having seen off Olimpia and Cerro Porteño respectively this weekend, Nacional await Cerro in the penultimate week.

Guaraní vs Olimpia
Defensores del Chaco
(1-1) 2-1 – Diego Centurión, Dante López; Fredy Bareiro

Guarani showed their fortitude to come back from a goal down and win, the sixth time they’ve done so in 2012 (only Libertad have a better record, winning 7). While Olimpia’s goal was fortunate, Pablo Aurrecochea fumbling the ball to allow Fredy Bareiro to head in, they will feel aggreived at not being awarded a penalty for a clear foul.

Guaraní for their part relied on the dynamic duo of Diego and Dante, Centurión scoring the first goal after a corner was brought down well by López who found his strike partner in the six yard box. It was Dante López who scored the winner, good work by Dario Ocampo who beat his man and although he went for the one-two, López decided to shoot from distance and it took a slight deflection of his teammate who had continued his run to beat Martin Silva.

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Libertad vs Cerro Porteño
Defensores del Chaco
(1-0) 1-0 – Pablo Velázquez

Unlike Saturday’s match the other big game in Sajonia was won by the team in black and white, Libertad with a solid defensive display to shut out their freescoring rivals in blue and red. Pablo Velázquez got the only goal of the game anticipating Nelson Romero’s cross from the right to get in front of Cerro’s dithering defenders and poke the ball past Barreto.

Velazquez celebrates his winning strike – Photo: Prensa Club Libertad

The encounter had plenty of controversy – Jorge Rojas was convinced he was fouled in the area but Cerro Porteño weren’t given a penalty, later on Fidencio Oviedo saw red for what replays indicate was a forearm smash to the back of his rival’s head. In stoppage time Carlos Amarilla and his assistant combined to produce a veritable howler that could cost Libertad dear. Pablo Velázquez was onside as he took one touch to control a through ball before scoring – the linesman flagged him offside and then the icing on the cake he was shown a second yellow by Amarilla for ‘kicking the ball away’ (i.e. scoring). Reminiscent of the crazy decision that went against Arsenal and Robin Van Persie against Barcelona.

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Nacional vs Carapeguá
Arsenio Erico
(0-0) 2-0 – Javier Gonzalez, Carlos Ruiz Peralta

The other title challengers had won earlier in the day by notching up their fourth consecutive win at the Arsenio Erico and seventh home victory in their previous eight mathces. For the most part Carapeguá had plenty of chances but in the final 17 minutes Nacional wrapped up the victory having bombarded their opponents with crosses.

Javier Gonzalez profited from a cross from the left, brought down by Rodrigo Teixeira and while Carapeguá’s goalkeeper denied him the ball trickled into the path of the 32-year-old who smashed home. Carlos Ruiz Peralta headed in a centre from the right to seal the win.

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Other results: Tacuary 2-1 Sol de América; Cerro de Franco 1-1 Independiente; Luque 2-0 Rubio Ñu

ALL THE GOALS HERE

Clausura 2012: Cerro Porteño vs Libertad

Libertad vs Cerro Porteño
Defensores del Chaco
25/11/2012; 19:00 (22:00 GMT)

Following Guaraní’s win against Olimpia last night, these two sides know that only three points will be sufficent to keep in the title race, don’t expect either to settle for a draw. Recently these games have been pulsating encounters – in the 2011 Clausura Cerro earned a controversial 1-0 victory with the game played over two different days following crowd trouble. In the 2012 Apertura Libertad were the victors 2-1 thanks to Rodolfo Gamarra’s later winner made all the more dramatic because of the biblical storm that broke out in the second half. And most recently there was a 3-3 draw as Cerro turned around a two-goal deficit only to concede a late penalty.

Gamarra’s epic late winner – Photo: abc.com.py

As always Fossati goes with his 3-4-1-2 and after recent rotation he has what could be considered his strongest eleve available including ex-Libertad stalwart Carlos Bonet. It is a potentially significant game for Jonathan Fabbro who is looking for his 60th goal in Paraguayan football today. Libertad on the other hand also have a strong side with the Nuñez/Velazquez partnership up front and they have just put seven goals past Rubio Ñu in their previous game.

The last meeting was 3-3 – Photo: D10.com.py

As with yesterday’s crunch game it is hard to pick a winner, my feeling is it definitely won’t be a draw with both teams fighting until the last. Libertad’s slightly more organised defence might have an edge but then organisation can’t do much against the individual brilliance of Fabbro et al. In this type of game I’m thinking the more offensive side will win so I’m siding with Cerro Porteño.

Prediction: 1-2

Libertad XI (probable): Rodrigo Muñoz; Jorge Moreira, Joe Bizera, Ismael Benegas, Miguel Angel Samudio; Nelson Romero, Sebastián Eguren, Sergio Aquino, William Mendieta; José Ariel Núñez, Pablo Velázquez

Cerro Porteño XI (probable): Diego Barreto; Mariano Uglessich, Pedro Benítez, César Benítez; Carlos Bonet, Fidencio Oviedo, Julio dos Santos, Walter López; Jonathan Fabbro; Santiago Salcedo, Roberto Nanni

Best Bet: Over 2.5 goals is the most obvious with the two highest scorers in the league going head-to-head

By Ralph Hannah

Week 18 Wrap: Guaraní return to summit while Libertad and Cerro keep up chase

Quick round-up today as Week 18 is quickly followed by Week 19 on Saturday with the huge clash between Olimpia and Guarani followed by Cerro Porteño vs Libertad on Sunday – look out for those previews on the mornings of the games.

Below you can see all 24(!) goals in a round where three sides were top at one point (Nacional – Libertad – Guaraní).

Cerro Porteño 2-0 Independiente

Fabbro and Nanni with the goals as the team gave Fossati something to celebrate on his 60th birthday!

Olimpia 2-2 Tacuary

A last gasp equaliser for Tacuary effectively ended Olimpia’s title hopes, Fredy Bareiro’s goal was a great strike

Other results

Rubio Ñu 2-7 Libertad – a monster win for Israel’s team as they stay just one point behind Guaraní

Sol de América 2-0 Nacional – The Academia were the latest side to feel the pressure of first place, a limp performance in Villa Elisa

Guaraní 1-0 Cerro de Franco – Finally Diego Centurión ended his drought which conicided with an end to the aborigen’s winless run, they are top of the league once more

Carapeguá 5-1 Luque – speechless…

By Ralph Hannah