Apertura Week 12: Guaireña vs Olimpia preview

Guaireña vs Olimpia Parque del Guairá, Villarrica 16/04/2021; 18:00 (23:00 BST) TV: Tigo Sports (Paraguay) Fifth-placed Guaireña receive third-placed Olimpia in the opening game of Week 12, a win for either side could see them go top of the table in what has been an incredibly tight title race. Neither team won last week with El Decano rescuing a late point against 12 de Octubre in a strange game where they struggled in a new system; meanwhile Guaireña fell behind to Libertad in the first half and were unable to salvage a point but came close with Fernando Romero missing a penalty at 2-1 in Tuyucuá.

Troadio Duarte has created an organized side that is happy to play without the ball and is happy to create chances on the counter attack. The experienced backbone of Salustiano Candia (37) and Miguel Paniagua (33) in defence with Jorge Mendoza (31) in central midfield and Facundo Parra (35) up front is surrounded by exciting youngsters like forward Fernando Romero (20) and Feliciano Brizuela (24). Barring injury Duarte will set up the same side that played against Libertad hoping that they can defend the direct passing better. Sergio Orteman put together a very strange line up against 12 de Octubre as he tried to play Marcelo Estigarribia in central midfield. With the Copa Libertadores on the horizon there is a feeling that tomorrow will see a “mix” rather than a full strength side. Roque Santa Cruz is back in training and could play a part, while Diego Polenta is yet to return to the fold. Prediction: 2-1 – with Olimpia having one eye on the trip to Venezuela and Orteman yet to find his perfect system, the home team should take advantage. Guaireña’s organization from set pieces could bear fruit with Alcaraz suspended. Guaireña XI (probable): Héctor Espínola; Aquilino Giménez, Miguel Paniagua, Salusitano Candia, Nelson Ruiz; Feliciano Brizuela, Jorge Mendoza, Rosalino Toledo, Lucas González; Facundo Parra, Fernando Romero Olimpia XI (probable): Alfredo Aguilar; Alan Benítez, Saúl Salcedo, Luis Cáceres, Iván Torres; Hugo Quintana, Richard Ortiz; Ramón Sosa, Alejandro Silva; Jorge Recalde, Roque Santa Cruz By Ralph Hannah