Apertura 2013 Week 4: Olimpia vs Rubio Ñu preview

Olimpia vs Rubio Ñu
Defensores del Chaco, Asunción
02/03/2013; 19:00 (22:00 GMT)
TV: Unicanal (Paraguay)

Saturday’s only fixture could well be Chiqui Arce’s final match as Rubio Ñu coach (he’s strongly linked to the vacant Cerro Porteño job) he will try and get one over on Olimpia as a parting shot. Ever Almeida’s team come into this match after a shock midweek loss to General Díaz, the new boys that have taken the league by storm winning their opening three games.

The club are promoting the fixture – Photo: Olimpia.com.py

There is a bit of doubt of El Decano’s team selection, it could be a 4-4-1-1 with Alejandro Silva on the right-side of midfield and Jorge Baez in at full back. However if ex-Guarani defener Manzur starts instead of Baez then it will be the more familiar line of three defenders with Silva and Ariosa the wing backs. It seems Salgueiro will partner Fredy Bareiro up front, obviously he is a playmaker by trade so expect him to be operating in the hole and dropping back when they lose the ball to form an extra man in midfield.

Chiqui Arce could be leaving – Photo: Prensa APF

When Arce first took the reins at the albiverde he brought in plenty of experience to gain promotion to Primera, then he gambled on youth to great effect before his stint as national team coach and the club’s subsequent fall in the promedio table. With backs against the wall it is a mixture of old heads and fledgling talent – players like Domingo Salcedo and Hugo Lusardi rubbing shoulders with Bryan Montenegro and Roberto Piris da Motta (although the latter is suspended for today’s game).

Almeida got caught out on Wednesday playing with an alternative eleven – personally I think he’s too smart to make the same mistake, a good game awaits us.

Prediction: 2-1

Best Bet: Over 2.5 goals would be my bet with Olimpia good enough to win, Rubio Ñu good enough to score

Olimpia XI (possible): Martin Silva; Alejandro Silva, Salustiano Candia, Herminio Miranda, Sebastián Ariosa; Eduardo Aranda, Wilson Pittoni, Richard Ortiz; Juan Manuel Salgueiro, Fredy Bareiro, Arnaldo Castorino

Rubio Ñu XI (possible): Carlos Servín; Gustavo Gimenez, Oscar Ayala, Arnaldo Recalde, Domingo Salcedo, Gustavo Viera, Carlos Martinez Arce, Jorge Benitez, Angel Lucena, Hugo Lusardi, Bryan Montenegro

There is a live market of this game available on Betfair

For other football previews check CaStRoF’s betting tips

 

By Ralph Hannah

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

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: Rubio Ñu vs Nacional and Cerro Porteño vs Sportivo Luqueño preview

The football fixtures for Saturday in the Paraguay Clausura involve two teams with nothing to play for and two teams with everything at stake at either ends of the table. Nacional travel to Rubio Ñu hoping to emulate Libertad (who won 5-0 last night away to Independiente) and go joint top of the table while Luque are hoping to take something from their game against bitter rivals Cerro Porteño in La Olla to all but guarantee safety.

Rubio Ñu vs Nacional
La Arboleda
01/12/2012; 17:00 (20:00 GMT)

The tranquil area around La Arboleda will be all noise and colour on Saturday afternoon as Nacional fans descend from the South of the city to cheer on Gustavo Morinigio’s side. The 35-year-0ld has moulded a fine side that used their excellent home form to keep them in the chase and have risen to the challenge in the second half of the season with seven wins from their previous eight. They face Chiqui Arce’s Rubio Ñu side that has been a shadow of their former selves, greatly feeling the loss of players such as Derlis Gonzalez, Eric Ramos and Neri Cardozo who went to Europe with just the latter returning but seriously injured.

Nacional beat Carapeguá in their last game and are on a great run – Photo: Prensa Club Nacional

Nacional have been sharing the goals r0und well recently, six different scorers in their previous five games, and while Rodrigo Teixeira is the striker leading the line they have goals all over the pitch with midfielders Marcos Melgarejo and Carlos Ruiz Peralta finding the net recently while Javier Gonzalez popped up with a crucial goal to break down Carapeguá in the last game, his first since September.

Rubio Ñu have struggled so much in the offensive department, their average of 0.951 goals per game during 2012 is the lowest in the country (Tacuary have edged up to 0.952) and it is a direct result of losing Derlis Gonzalez and Carlos Correa to Benfica while the excellent Neri Cardozo suffered a serious injury while on-loan to Viking in Norway and has been recovering for most of the Clausura. One positive is the return of young goalkeeper Jorge Chena from a cruciate knee ligament injury, I was there in February when he suffered the injury just a routine goal kick and very happy to see him back in the albiverde side.

Nacional slipped up against Sol in their previous away game but they’ve always been strong playing ‘catch-up’ and knowing they need a win to stay in touch with Libertad should spur them on to yet another win.

Prediction: 0-2

Best Bet: Away win

Rubio Ñu XI (probable): Jorge Chena; Arnaldo Rodriguez, Oscar Velazquez, Oscar Ayala, Nelson Ruiz; Angel Lucena, Roberto Piris, Jorge Britez, Diego Chamorro; Lauro Cazal, Juan Maldonado

Nacional XI (probable): Ignacio Don; Ramon Coronel, Raul Piris, Leonardo Caceres, Marcos Miers; Carlos Ruiz Peralta, Marcos Riveros, Silvio Torales, Marcos Melagerjo; Javier Gonzalez, Rodrigo Teixeira

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Cerro Porteño vs Sportivo Luqueño
La Olla
01/12/2012; 19:15 (22:15 GMT)

Cerro Porteño have lost the previous two  gamesas they are left with nothing to play for in their centenary year, already qualified for the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana and without a chance of winning the league they are just going through the motions. The most significant decision will be after the final whistle when Jorge Fossati confirms if he is to extend his contract or not. For Luque this  a bonus opportunity to grab the precious points they need to confirm survival. Thanks to Independiente’s defeat they can’t fall into the relgation zone this weekend anyway and that might just take the pressure off an allow them to play even more freely against their old rival.

Hard game to call, Cerro are the better side, they are strong at home but as we saw against Sol de América when there is nothing to play for they can quite easily take their foot off the pedal and get beaten.

Prediction: 1-2

Best Bet: BTTS

Cerro Porteño XI (probable): Diego Barreto; Diego Viera, Pedro Benítez, Luis Cardozo; Carlos Bonet, Alexis Gonzalez, Julio Dos Santos, José Domingo Salcedo; Jonathan Fabbro; Roberto Nanni, Santiago Salcedo

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

By Ralph Hannah

Clausura 2012: Guaraní vs Cerro de Franco preview plus Wednesday’s other games

Once again we look at the headline game on TV as Guaraní try to keep themselves from falling further off the pace against Cerro de Franco who have conceded 9 goals in their previous two outings. We also look at league leaders Nacional’s trip to Villa Elisa to face Sol de América and Olimpia’s home game against Tacuary. Rubio Ñu vs Libertad and Carapeguá vs Luque are also featured.

Guaraní vs Cerro de Franco (TV)
Dos Bocas
21/11/2012; 18.20 (21.20 GMT)

The aborigen are in trouble, they’ve lost the lead and the momentum has now shifted in favour of Nacional. The big problem has been goals, Diego Centurión is on a drought and while Dante López was bailing him out he has been injured for the previous two games and as such Guaraní have failed to score despite creating plenty of chances in the previous 180 minutes. The good news is that partnership will be restored tonight and as such the goals should flow once more.

Dante is back for Guarani – Photo: D10.com.py

Cerro de Franco have also been floundering recently albeit in totally contrasting circumstances. After a gruelling 11 months in which they have garnered an impressive 48 points the players understandably feel it is a case of mission complete and are ready for the summer break. Asunción hasn’t been a happy hunting ground either during the Clausura, Cerro de Franco’s two away wins have come in Luque and Carapeguá both cities outside of the capital.

Fortunately for Guarani they aren’t playing a team fighting for something so they should find this game easier than the battle in the Bettegá on Friday night. The key is goals, if they score early on then there should be no problem and they could go on to win comfortably.

Prediction: 2-0

Best Bet: Home win

Guaraní XI (probable): Pablo Aurrecochea; Tomas Bartomeus, Luis Cabral, Elvis Marecos, Edgar Aranda; Luis de la Cruz, Sergio Orteman, Marcelo Palau, Dario Ocampo; Dante López, Diego Centurión

Cerro de Franco XI (probable): Miguel López; Gustavo Velázquez, Nelson Figueredo, Fabian Balbuena, Arnaldo Recalde; Oscar Benítez, Reinaldo López, Leonardo Delvalle, Cristian Andersen; Rogerio Leichtweis, Sergio Samudio

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Sol de América vs Nacional
Luis Giagni
21/11/2012; 17.00 (20.00 GMT)

Finally the spotlight is on Nacional, Gustavo Moringio’s team has plugged away for the last five games and harvested fifteen points to lift them up into first place. The goals have been flowing throughout the year, the difference from the Apertura (where they finished fifth) is the defence which has been helped by the protection in midfield offered by Marcos Riveros and the excellent performances of Raúl Piris who brought up his 300th game for the tricolor in the victory against Olimpia.

Teixeira in training, he has been in good form – Photo: Prensa Club Nacional

Sol, like Cerro de Franco, are kicking their heels already as they wait for their holidays – an excellent Apertura dispelled any relegation doubts and put them in contention for a Copa Sudamericana place. The failure to win more than three games in the Clausura has put them out of the continental race so these last few games are very much a formality. Undoubtedly they will be less motivated than their title-chasing opponents.

Prediction: 0-1

Best Bet: Saw amazing odds on the away win, anything over 1.7 is good value in my opinion

Sol de América XI (probable): Roberto Acosta; Robert Bonet, Ricardo Martinez, Bruno Valdez, Diego Arrua; Alfredo Mazacotte, Angel Enciso, Edgar Orzusa, David Mendieta; Esteban Rivas, Diego Vázquez

Nacional XI (probable): Ignacio Don; Ramón Coronel, Raúl Piris, David Mendoza, Marcos Miers; Carlos Ruiz Peralta, Silvio Torales, Marcos Riveros, Marco Melgarejo; Cesar Cáceres Cañete, Rodrigo Teixeira

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Olimpia vs Tacuary (TV)
Para Uno
21/11/2012; 20.20 (23.20 GMT)

After their humiliation in the Arsenio Erico the side return to the comfort of familiar standings and hope to win their fifth consecutive match in the ‘Bosque’. They play a Tacuary team that has finally won two games in a row for the first time in almost a year. Like Olimpia they prefer to be at home, their form on the road in 2012 is horrendous – Pld 20 W 1 D 4 L 15 – hardly inspires confidence ahead of tonight’s match.

Olimpia, even without suspended Richard Ortiz, and Tacuary, even with the topscorer and comeback-kid Nicolas Martínez, should hold true to their respective form in home and away matches.

Prediction: 3-1

Best Bet: Over 2.5 goals better value than home win

Olimpia XI (probable): Martin Silva; Salustiano Candia, Julio Cesar Cáceres, Enrique Meza; Alejandro Silva, Eduardo Aranda, Carlos Paredes, Sebastian Ariosa; Juan Manuel Salgueiro; Arnaldo Castorino, Fredy Bareiro

Tacuary XI (probable): Carlos Servín; Gustavo Gimenez, Gregor Aguayo, Deigo Viera, Marcos Acosta Rojas; Reinaldo Ocampo, Pablo Espinoza, Edward Villalba, Juan Nuñez; Nicolas Martínez, Ramón Cardozo

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Rubio Ñu vs Libertad
La Arboleda
21/11/2012; 16:50 (19:50 GMT)

Owing to the timing of this game the Guma will go top of the league for at least ten minutes if they can win by three goals, they are very much still in the running with the crunch match coming on Sunday against Cerro Porteño. This game should be a formality with Rubio Ñu on an awful run, José Ariel Nuñez back from suspension and Libertad’s historic dominance in this fixture (won the previous nine games).

Prediction: 0-2

Best Bet: Away win

Rubio Ñu XI (probable): Osvaldo Cabral; Arnaldo Rodriguez, Derlis Riveros, Jorge Britez, Nelson Ruiz; Aldo Paniagua, Robert Piris, Roberto Acuña, Diego Chamorro; Alberto Contrera, Lauro Cazal

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

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Carapeguá vs Luque
Estadio Municipal de Carapeguá
21/11/2012; 17:00 (20:00 GMT)

Proverbial six-pointer as these two clash in what is a very unpredictable game. The maths states that a Carapeguá win will take them out of the relgation zone at their opponents expense, if Luque were to take all the points then El Potro would be in serious trouble. A draw keeps both of them on the precipice.

Prediction: 1-1

Best Bet: Hard to call this one, probably Under 2.5 goals

Carapeguá XI (probable): Fabiano Heves; Celso Gonzalez Fleitas, Marcos Arce, Ruben Maldonado; Raúl Cáceres, Michel Valenzuela, Diosnel Almirón, Rodrigo Soria; Ricardo Ortiz; Imanol Iriberri, David Pereira

Luque XI (probable): Tobias Vargas; Gerzon Chacón, Gonzalo Maulella, Rolando Bogado, Sergio Vergara; Cristian Santacruz, Claudio Vargas, Edgar Robles, Juan Abente, Juan Pablo Raponi; Guido di Vanni

By Ralph Hannah

Clausura 2012: Nacional vs Olimpia preview

The title lies! Other than the main preview, Saturday’s other games are below too.

Nacional vs Olimpia
Estadio Arsenio Erico
17/11/2012; 17:00 (20:00 GMT)

Following Guaraní’s defeat to Tacuary on Friday night this match has taken on monumental significance, if Nacional can manage their fifth consecutive win they will go top, if Olimpia are victorious they will be within three points of the summit. The magnitude of the game is even bigger for some players with Olympique Marseille and Newcastle United scouts reported to be attending. For the first time since 1994 El Decano visit the Arsenio Erico following the home team’s players request for the game be played there. It definitely give thems more of an advantage than playing in the wide open spaces of the Defensores del Chaco.

These two have had plenty of classic games in recent years

Nacional have no need to change the side that has brought them 12 points from a possible 12, the only change that we might see is Cáceres Cañete coming in for Luis Ovelar as manager Gustavo Moriginio banks on experience. Brazilian striker Rodrigo Teixeira has been going through a purple patch recently with six goals in the previous six games, he offers a physical presence up front and will look to ruffle the feathers of El Decano’s defence. The other man to watch is Marcos Melagerjo on the left-hand side, hardly considered by Libertad during the Apertura he has returned to his home club and is a threat on the left-hand-side.

Olimpia aren’t quite as settled in their formation and had been blighted by injuries but they can recall their key strikers Arnaldo Castorino and Fredy Bareiro who have shaken off a muscle injury and the flu. The key battle is likely to be Juan Manuel Salgueiro against Nacional’s holding midfielder Marcos Riveros, if the Uruguayan can get the better of the Paraguay international then Olimpia have a much better chance of taking all three points. The stats aren’t looking great for the visitors however, they haven’t won away from Para Uno in five games, the last win coming against Tacuary.

Nacional XI (probable): Ignacio Don; Ramón Coronel, Raúl Piris, David Mendoza, Marcos Miers; Carlos Ruiz Peralta, Marcos Riveros, Silvio Torales, Marcos Melgarejo; César Cáceres Cañete//Luis Ovelar, Rodrigo Teixeira

Olimpia XI (probable): Martín Silva; Salustiano Candia, Julio César Cáceres, Eugenio Montiel; Eduardo Aranda, Miguel Amado, Richard Ortiz, Sebastián Ariosa; Juan Manuel Salgueiro; Arnaldo Castorino, Fredy Bareiro

Prediction: 1-1

Selected Odds: Nacional win 2.22, Draw 3.05, Olimpia win 2.66

Best Bet: Bit leftfield today but these sides are two of the few that score more first half goals than second half goals, so maybe 1.5 goals in 1st half, or just Over 2.5 goals on the basis you should be able to cash out if necessary

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Independiente vs Rubio Ñu
Estadio Ricardo Gregor
17/11/12; 17:00 (22:00 GMT)

Prediction: 1-1

Inde play Rubio Ñu at the Gregor – Photo: D10.com.py

The home side have tumbled down the ‘promedio’ standings and relegation is a very real possibility giving meaning to this meeting with neighbours Rubio Ñu. Independiente have just one win in their last 19 games while Rubio Ñu have just 2 in 22 (with one of those coming over Independiente). So we can’t hope for much today, probably a dull game between two woeful teams although there are some exciting young individuals on show – Francisco Garcia on the home team and both Alberto Contrera and Diego Chamorro are all midfielders capable of beating their man and using their skill to create goalscoring opportunities.

Independiente XI (probable): Roque Cardozo; Víctor Dávalos, Michel Godoy, José Báez, Mario Cáceres; Michel Romero, Luis Miño, Aldo Vera, Francisco Garcia; Juvenal Cardozo, Luciano Ursino

Rubio Ñu XI (probable): Wilson Quiñonez; Arnaldo Rodriguez, Oscar Velazquez, Nelson Ruiz, Angel Lucena;  Roberto Acuña, Robert Piris, Diego Chamorro, Alberto Contrera, Cristian Ledesma, Oscar Ruiz

Best Bet: Under 2.5 goals

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Sportivo Luqueño vs Sol de América
Estadio Feliciano Cáceres
17/11/12; 18:00 (21:00 GMT)

Prediction: 1-0

Luque and Sol go head to head

A win for the home team could see them get out of the drop zone at Independiente’s expense depending on the result of the earlier kick off. Both of these sides can be considered fairly inconsistent, Luque’s six-game unbeaten streak was quickly forgotten as they’ve now lost four of their subsequent six matches. Sol de América may have won less games than Tacuary in the Clausura but they’ve also lost less than Guaraní and Nacional, that means a lot of draws – 9 to be precise. So it comes as no surprise that their last three games have been stalemates two of them goalless. I think the Kuré will win at home, while their recent record at the Feliciano Cáceres looks awful on paper (Pld 5 D 1 L 4) they have played Cerro Porteño, Nacional, Guaraní and Libertad in that spate of games so this marks a chance to get points on the board, get the fans on side and take some of the heat off Pablo Caballero.

Luque XI (probable): Tobías Vargas; Luciano Vera, Rolando Bogado, Sergio Vergara; Claudio Vargas, Edgar Robles, Juan Abente, Carlos Martínez, Juan Raponi; Guido di Vanni, Gerzon Chacón

Sol de América XI (probable): Roberto Acosta; Robert Bonet, Ricardo Martinez, Bruno Valdez, Diego Ciz; Sergio Escalante, Edgar Orzusa, Alfredo Mazacotte, David Mendieta; Esteban Rivas, Diego Vázquez

Best Bet: Luque Double Chance or Unders are way to go here

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Libertad vs Carapeguá
Tuyucuá
17/11/12, 19:00 (22:00 GMT)

Prediction: 1-1

The prediction seems wild but then Libertad have never beaten Carapeguá in their previous three meetings which might be a mental thing. There is also the fact that the Guma really missed José Ariel Nuñez in last week’s goalless draw against Sol de América and he serves the final game of his suspension today. Carapeguá have three wins in their last five (Libertad only have two) and seem to have unearthed another gem in David Pereira who scored just 13 minutes into his senior debut last weekend. This game should be on TV therefore available on a stream.

Libertad XI (probable): Rodrigo Muñoz; Aldo Olmedo, Joe Bizera, Ismael Benegas, Gustavo Mencia; Luis Cáceres, Sergio Aquino, Osmar Molinas, Miguel Samudio; Cristian Menendez, Pablo Velázquez

Carapeguá XI (probable): Faiano Heves; Raúl Cáceres, Derlis Correa, Celso Gonzalez Fleitas, Cristian Martinez, Michel Valenzuela, Diosnel Almirón, Isaias Ibarra, Arnulfo Colmán, David Pereira

Best Bet: Under 2.5 goals

By Ralph Hannah

Week 12 Wrap: Cerro suffer Dejá Vú and Libertad lead charge

Very brief round up just so you can see the goals from last week!

Guaraní vs Cerro Porteño
Defensores del Chaco
(0-1) 2-1 - Centurión, De La Cruz;  Nanni

In-form Roberto Nanni had put El Ciclón ahead after just eight minutes following a swift counter attack and they were looking good for much of the first half as the game stayed very open. The statistics favoured a Cerro win, after all they had only lost once having scored the first goal in all of their 39 games played in 2012. The anomaly being that one game was also to Guaraní when Centurión struck twice in quick succession.

Once again Centurión found the equaliser, substitute Luis De La Cruz chested down a Dante López cross into the path of Centurion who finished with a smart half-volley on the turn. It was De La Cruz who would get the winning goal deep into stoppage time as the aurinegro refused to give up, more good work from López who found Jorge Mendoza with a through ball, while his shot was well saved there was De La Cruz to tap in the rebound.

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Nacional vs Libertad
Arsenio Erico
(0-2) 1-2 – Melgarejo; Eguren, Nuñez

Two quickfire goals in the opening 12 minutes was enough to secure victory for Libertad who have emerged as the sole challengers to Nacional. Sebastian Eguren opened the scoring with a goal from a set piece and then José Ariel Nuñez scored a good goal latching onto the through ball.

Marcos Melgarejo pulled one back against his former club in the sixty-fifth minute but as much as the home side pressed in the second half they couldn’t salvage a point from a gripping match.

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Olimpia vs Rubio Ñu
Para Uno
(3-1) 3-2 – Biancucchi, Salgueiro, F.Bareiro; Chamorro (2)

In the end the scoreline probably flatters Rubio Ñu who defended awfully at times and were blown away in the first half, the first time Olimpia had scored three in the opening 45 minutes since 2011 against now-relegated 3 de Febrero. Maxi Biancucchi scored after five minutes which represented the fifth goal for the Messi family over the weekend following his brother’s strike for Independiente and their cousin’s hattrick for Barcelona.

Rubio Ñu equalised in what was a big surprise, Diego Chamorro rounding up a scrappy move but that just served to spark Olimpia into life. Edgar Aranda won a penalty by beating the goalkeeper Quiñonez to the ball and leaving in a trailing leg, the Uruguayan Salgueiro finished comfortably. The third goal came five minutes before the break, Fredy Bareiro continues his hot scoring run with his fourth goal in as many games. It was a great strike, the ball seeemd to be behind him but he managed to swivel and rocket the ball in off the bar with his left foot.

The best strike of the game was still to come however, Diego Chamorro (a free agent next year) curled home a free kick in stoppage time to give the albiverde a second goal.

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OTHER RESULTS: Sol suffered a surprise defeat to Carapeguá at home, the visitors winning 3-1 thanks to a brace from Arnulfo Colmán. That result put Luque in trouble especially as they lost at home to Cerro de Franco, 8 mins from time with the scores locked at 1-1, Di Vanni missed a penalty for the home team and they paid the price as Rogerio netted a last gasp winner. Tacuary finally won a game, 3-2 against Independiente, a result which puts the latter in real relegation trouble – it also led to the departure of Mario Grana as boss, he’s been replaced by Pedro Nelson Fleitas.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: I was really impressed by Luis Cabral this weekend, the central defender used to suffer a lot with poorly timed challenges (he has picked up plenty of red cards in his time) but against Cerro his anticipation and positioning was exceptional. He is playing well at the moment.

ALL THE GOALS - the best of the lot in my opinion was Diego Godoy’s fantastic strike from a tight angle for Luque.

Clausura 2012: Week 6 preview

Olimpia, Cerro Porteño and Guaraní all have Copa Sudamericana matches so their matches have been postponed until a later date, that leaves just three games in round six which will take place on Wednesday at 3pm.

Sol de América vs Sportivo Luqueño
Estadio Luis Alfonso Giagni
29/08/2012, 15:00
Prediction: 1-2

Luque prepare to face Sol – Photo: Prensa Sportivo Luqueño

Sol de América have won just one game this season, against Cerro Porteño, and drawn their other four games 1-1. There is a temptation to think this game will follow suit although Luque have been playing very well and will be confident enough to play for the win. Christian Ovelar is unavailable for the away team (contractual clause) but Guido di Vanni is back from suspension and likely to start up front with Ariel Bogado who scored the winner against Olimpia. Sol are by far the league’s best starters (in terms of goals scored in first 15 minutes) but they have failed to defend the lead in three of their last four games. In the previous meeting between these two sides Sol came out on top thanks to a double from the now-departed José Ortigoza, in the last game at the Luis Giagni it was Luque who came out on top 3-2, and I think they will have enough to win again on Wednesday.

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Carapeguá vs Libertad
Estadio Municipal de Carapeguá
29/08/2012, 15:00

Prediction: 0-2

Libertad have managed to draw their last four games but there is no panic within the ranks as Ruben Israle makes just one change to the side that drew with Sol de América, Joe Bizera (back from suspension) comes into central defence for Ismael Bengeas. Carapeguá are yet to win in their new stadium and they are missing topscorer Jorge Ayala (suspended). They managed to beat Independiente at the weekend thanks to a last minute goal from debutant Arnulfo Colmán but it is unlikely they’ll be able to find a way past Libertad. Away win on the cards.

Libertad XI (probable): Rodrigo Muñoz; Jorge Moreira, Joe Bizera, Gustavo Mencia, Miguel Samudio; Luis Cáceres, Sebastián Eguren, Sergio Aquino, Nelson Romero; José Ariel Núñez, Pablo Velázquez

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Rubio Ñu vs Independiente
La Arboleda
29/08/2012, 15:00
Prediction: 1-1

Independiente were beaten at the death by Carapeguá – Photo: Prensa Independiente de Campo Grande

2nd from bottom plays bottom and there is no doubt these have been the worse two teams of the Clausura. Neither side are leaking goals heavily but cleansheets have been hard to come by. There is the chance that this will be a free-for-all with both sides really going for it as they target this as a game they can win. However, the more likely result is that this is a score draw with neither side good enough defensively to stop the other scoring and neither side strong enough to take all three points.

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By Ralph Hannah

Apertura 2012: Week 20 Preview

Penultimate weekend of the Apertura (with a round of games scheduled for midweek) and a win for Olimpia on Saturday against Sol de América will mean they can secure the title before the superclásico. Carapeguá and Cerro de Franco will be desperate to try and earn more points to help stave of relegation while Luque and Tacuary have also found themselves dragged into the mire.

Nacional vs Independiente
Estadio Arsenio Erico
30/06/2012, 15:00
Prediction: 2-1

Nacional will be smarting from the 5-0 thumping handed out to them by Cerro de Franco on Tuesday, they also face an in form Independiente side who are now unbeaten in seven games following their 1-0 win over Rubio Ñu. However Nacional have usually prevailed against ‘smaller’ sides at home just like they did last weekend against Carapeguá. I think they can overcome Independiente but it will be close.

BEST BET: With the home win by no means a certainty you might want to look into Over 2.5 goals – games involving these sides have averaged 3.05 so far this season only Sol de América (3.2) have seen more goals on average in their matches.

Rubio Ñu vs Luque
Estadio La Arboleda
30/06/2012, 15:00
Prediction: 2-0

Luque preparing to visit Rubio Ñu – Photo: Prensa Club Sportivo Luqueño

Rubio Ñu are playing so badly they couldn’t even give their new manager, Blas Cristaldo, a win last week. Luque too are in disarray, increased fan violence (a knife was thrown onto the pitch) has seen them banned from their home stadium for the two fixtures after this game and the hooligan element sent a death threat to the head of referee’s this week. On the field Luque just aren’t scoring, only hapless Tacuary have less goals, and with defenders Ronald Huth and Claudio Vargas suspended it tips the scales in favour of the albiverde.

Sol de América vs Olimpia

Estadio Defensores del Chaco
30/06/2012, 17:30
Prediction: 1-2

L-R José Ortigoza, Enzo Prono, Lorenzo Frutos – the league’s highest scorers Sol de América – Photo: Courtesy of Enzo Prono

Sol de América are the form side in the league and have the division’s most profitable partnership in José Ortigoza and Enzo Prono (21 goals between them) and they always give Olimpia a good game. However, they usually give them a good game then lose as has been the case in the previous five meetings. El Decano on the other hand can smell the title, their front three are playing very well and will be hugely motivated by the possibility to wrap up the title this weekend (if they win and Cerro lose). I can only see the nominal away side (game being played in national stadium in front of Olimpia fans) winning this.

Tacuary vs Carapeguá
Estadio Roberto Bettega
30/06/2012, 18:00
Prediction: 0-1

Tacuary have just had two games in against Olimpia and Cerro Porteño so will undoubtedly be slightly tired as they face a Carapeguá side who were full of energy against Libertad and ended that encounter on a high with a last-minute equaliser. Personally I was very impressed by Carapeguá’s organisation and while scoring goals had been their problem since Eduardo Echeverría’s purple patch ended they’ve managed at least one in the last five despite only picking up one win. Just one goal will be enough against Tacuary and I think they can get it.

BEST BET: I’m convinced by Carapeguá but if you’re not so sure look at Under 2.5 goals, Tacuary are ultra-defensive and neither side are likely to score twice

Libertad vs Cerro de Franco
Estadio Nicolas Leóz
01/07/2012, 15:30
Prediction: 2-1

Victor Caceres has been ruled out for Libertad – Photo: Club Libertad Prensa

Libertad were unconvincing midweek but were a minute away from taking all three points such is their quality, I can see something similar happening this weekend. Cerro de Franco are looking very good and motivated recording back-to-back wins for the first time this year. Libertad have been hot and cold since getting knocked out of the Libertadores and are basically playing for third place which isn’t a great incentive for players of this standard. However with some fresh faces expected in the line up (Victor Cáceres and Luciano Civelli won’t play) they will want to impress the coach and ultimately at home Libertad should take this.

Guaraní vs Cerro Porteño
Estadio Defensores del Chaco
01/07/2012 17:45
Prediction: 1-2

L-R Santiago Salcedo & Jonathan Fabbro scorers against Tacuary – Photo: La Nacion Paraguay

A crucial game, whatever the result on Saturday this is a ‘must win’ for Cerro Porteño and the azulgrana have got their eyes on the prize since Jorge Fossati took over, there is a doubt over Jonathan Fabbro (missed training with flu) but even without him the team spirit is there. Guaraní are playing well (2 losses in last 8 which was to Olimpia and LibertaD) but there is still pressure on the team and Pablo Caballero which seems bizarre. With Julio Manzur out of contract the aborigen will have a tough time defending against a rampant Cerro attack, I doubt they will hold out. Away win.

BEST BET: Should be decent value on Cerro

By Ralph Hannah

Author’s Note: All odds correct at time of writing via Betfair for more betting tips check out CaStRoF betting tips

Apertura 2012: Week 19 Preview

The political crisis in Paraguay meant Week 19′s games were moved from the weekend to Tuesday and Wednesday presuambly to avoid any crowd trouble. The major game’s are of course those at the top of the table, Cerro Porteño take on whipping boys Tacuary while Olimpia and Guaraní meet in the clásico añejo the oldest rivalry in Paraguayan football.

Cerro de Franco vs Nacional
Estadio Antonio Oddone Sarubbi
26/06/2012, 14:30
Prediction: 1-2

Nacional relaxed ahead of trip out east – Photo: Club Nacional Prensa

Cerro de Franco picked up a nice win against Rubio Ñu and have been playing well but Nacional too were excellent in the 2nd half last weekend. With the extra rest days allowing them to recover from the journey to Ciudad del Este an away win is on the cards because they have the quality.

Independiente vs Rubio Ñu

Estadio Ricardo Gregor

26/06/2012, 15:00
Prediction: 1-1

Two teams playing badly and affected by managerial changes, Independiente have been poor since their coach left while Rubio Ñu named former Cerro Porteño manager Blas Cristaldo as their new boss this week, caution suggests a draw. The only chance of an away win is if Cristaldo’s appointment has instilled confidence in the albiverde.

Sportivo Carapeguá vs Libertad

Estadio Juan Canuto Pettengill
26/06/2012, 15:00
Prediction: 1-2

Libertad vs Carapeguá in pre-season

Libertad have way too much quality for a Carapeguá side struggling to get goals or points at the moment, should be an away win even if the Guma’s star player Topo Cáceres is involved in yet another transfer saga.

Sportivo Luqueño vs Sol de América
Estadio Feliciano Cáceres
26/06/2012, 18:00
Prediction: 1-1

Luque and Sol are fairly evenly matched, while Sol are stronger offensively they have a weak defence and Luque have proved themselves very hard to beat recently, unbeaten in five with four draws during that run. The home advantage also makes me lean away from the Sol win despite the excellent partnership between Enzo Prono and José Ortigoza.

Olimpia vs Guaraní
Estadio Defensores del Chaco
26/06/2012, 19:00
Prediction: 2-1

Palau will be out to try and stop Olimpia Photo: D10.com.py

Olimpia shouldn’t suffer against Guaraní as they did versus Tacuary last week, the aborigen are more expansive and will leave more space in behind for Pablo Zeballos and company to exploit. Guaraní did well to turn the game around against Sol de América, Iván Gonzalez Ferreira was excellent as the attacking outlet and Marcelo Palau is very important as the holding midfielder. However in this derby game it is likely that Olimpia will have a little bit too much for their rivals in attack and will edge this one.

SELECTED ODDS

Olimpia win 1.6, Draw 3.3, Guaraní win 2.86

BEST BET: Hard one, the gut feeling is that there will be over 2.5 but recent stats suggest Olimpia will draw or win to nil which could be a safer option

Cerro Porteño vs Tacuary
Estadio Gral. Pablo Rojas a.k.a La Olla
27/06/2012 19:00
Prediction: 2-0

Diego Barreto misses game – Photo: paraguay.com

Only a miracle saved Tacuary last week, actually two miracle saves by their goalkeeper. On the other hand Cerro played brilliantly and were unlucky to lose against a very good Libertad team, if they play anything close to that level they will win easily against Tacuary. The only big miss is Diego Barreto, the goalkeeper is still suffering dizziness after colliding with the upright against Nacional, Pablo Gavilán will continue and was a bit uncertain at times.

SELECTED ODDS

Cerro win 1.2, Draw 4.0, Tacuary 7.0

BEST BET: Cerro on the handicap, if they play like they did against Libertad they should win comfortably.

By Ralph Hannah

Author’s Note: All odds correct at time of writing via Betfair for more betting tips check out CaStRoF betting tips