Copa Libertadores 2013: Tigre take Paraguayan hattrick but Miranda’s goal keeps Olimpia in the tie

Tigre vs Olimpia
Monumental la Victoria, Victoria
Last 16, 1st leg
(1-0) 2-1 – Peñalba, Perez Garcia; Miranda

I haven’t run a background check on Nestor Gorosito but for some reason he has it in for Paraguayans taking the scalps of Cerro, Libertad and now beating Olimpia in the first leg to complete a hattrick of wins against teams from the land of Larissa Riquelme. Ruben Botta was magical once again but both goals could have been defended better by Olimpia who have looked very frail at the back recently.

Gabriel Peñalba’s opener, a tidy left-foot shot on the turn,  came after they had been outnumbered at the back post and let the ball bounce in the box. The second goal, a header from Matias Pérez Garcia who stands at 5 ft 4 in (1.65 m), was almost a carbon copy of the goal conceded against Sol de América. As the cross from Leone, Olimpia had one man going to close the ball, three defenders in the box to cover the three Tigre attackers with three Olimpia players on the edge of the penalty area marking one forward. Yet the defence were dragged towards the front post leaving space for the diminutive Perez Garcia to notch his fourth of the tournament.

Should Olimpia have conceded from this position?

A 2-0 scoreline would have made life very difficult for El Decano in the second leg who can also feel aggreived that they were denied two penalties in the first half with Omar Ponce having a poor game in charge (interestingly he was also the official during Tigre’s home win against Palmeiras, a 90th minute goal with the Brazilians down to ten men). However Herminio Miranda gave the Paraguayans a lifeline with a wonderful freekick with 12 minutes to go, curling the ball over the wall and into the top corner. Not bad for a centreback.

The tie is very much alive but Ever Almeida must address his defensive issues, right now the side are too prone to conceding from crosses into the box.

 Next Fixture

By Ralph Hannah

Copa Libertadores 2013: Tigre vs Olimpia preview

Tigre vs Olimpia
Monumental de Victoria, Victoria
30/04/2013; 19:15 (00:15 BST)
Last 16, 1st Leg
TV: Fox Sports (Latin America); ESPN (UK)

Tigre, or the Paraguayan-slayers having knocked out both Cerro Porteño and Libertad out of continental competition in the previous six months, welcome Olimpia in a match that could feel like a home game for the Paraguayans such is the support with 2,200 tickets sold out in just two hours. Another 1000 were expected to go on offer today with Olimpia fans (mostly residents in Argentina) camping outside the ground from Monday but the formal request was turned down by the Tigre board of directors. On the bench this pits together two former winners of the tournament (as players) with Nestor Gorosito champion with River Plate in 1986 and Ever Almeida present for the 1979 and 1990 triumphs with Olimpia.

Line-up via @OlimpiaUpdates

Olimpia have relied on the striking instincts of Fredy Bareiro (four goals to date in this edition of the tournament) and the creativity of Juan Manuel Salgueiro but tonight the changes are in defense. Jorge Baez retains his place in the team but will be used in midfield, the surprise choice at right-wing back is Aquilino Gimenez who has earned his chance after a good individual performance in the game against Sol de América.

Olimpia fans making their presence felt in Tigre – Photo: D10.com.py

Tigre are an enigma, 13th in the league table continuing on from a fairly poor campaign last year yet they still managed to reach the Copa Sudamericana final and now the knockout stages in their first ever Copa Libertadores adventure. They have been hugely impressive at home in the continental competitions winning 6 out of 9 games and the only defeat coming against Libertad in their opening group encounter. Nestor Gorosito seems to have a way of motivating his group of players for the big occassion and playing above their capabilities. He also has the huge talent of Ruben Botta to call upon, a player with a magical left foot.

Tigre XI (possible): Javier García; Alejandro Donatti, Mariano Echeverría, Lucas Orban; Martin Galmarini, Diego Castaño, Gabriel Peñalba, Ramiro Leone, Matías Perez García; Ruben Botta; Ezequiel Maggiolo

Olimpia XI (probable): Martín Silva; Salustiano Candia, Herminio Miranda, Julio Manzur; Aquilino Gimenez, Jose Baez, Eduardo Aranda, Richard Ortiz, Sebastián Ariosa; Juan Manuel Salgueiro; Fredy Bareiro

Prediction: 2-1

Selected Odds: Tigre win 2.16, Draw 3.4, Olimpia win 3.9, 2-1 home win 10.0, Over 2.5 goals 2.32

Best Bet: Hard one here, in tough home games last year Tigre drew 0-0 but I can see them scoring against Olimpia, I think the home form is likely to help them edge it – Home win outright

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Stats

Olimpia vs Argentine opposition (All Continental Competitions)

Pld 61 W 22 D 17 L 22 GF 76 GA 84

Olimpia in Argentina (All Continental Competitions)

Pld 32 W 6 D 9 L 17 GF 38 GA 66

Olimpia last 5 Copa Libertadores Away

Pld 5 W 2 D 1 L 2 GF 7 GA 10

This is the first time Olimpia have played Tigre in any continental competition

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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

Copa Libertadores 2013: Olimpia the only team to survive the group stages

The group stages of the Copa Libertadores ended last week and we have just one Paraguayan team in the last sixteen. Olimpia were arguably the weakest of the three qualified sides but as Cerro Porteño capitulated in catastrophic fashion and Libertad wilted towards the end, it left El Decano as the last team standing. They’ve slowly improved under Ever Almeida since he took over at the beginning of the year and here we analyse the three key reasons they are into the knockout stages.

1. Ever Almeida

Ever Almeida winning his 2nd title in 1990 – Photo: pasionlibertadores.com

The record-holder for the most appearances in the Copa Libertadores obviously brings experience, especially in big games, after all he won the trophy twice with Olimpia in 1979 and 1990. We saw that in the gritty victory over Universidad de Chile Santiago but we’ve also seen that Almeida is a smart coach and tactically astute. He has gradually moulded the team he wants and found the best way to utilize Juan Manuel Salgueiro with his strikers, usually Fredy Bareiro but sometimes Juan Carlos Ferreyra. The Almeida effect can be seen in the improvement in results, in the first three games they garnered four points, in the final three they took the maximum nine on offer.

2. Midfield balance

Ortiz offers discipline in central midfield – Photo: D10.com.py

Last year the team was much stronger on paper yet they crashed out in the first round and one difference I’ve noted is their ability to re-organise and keep their shape even when they lose possession quickly. Previously with Serigo Orteman and Vladimir Marin they had two excellent players who both enjoyed freedom and liked to roam to find space something that left them susceptible to counter attacks. This year we have the combination of Richard Ortiz and Eduardo Aranda who are more defensive by nature and more disciplined tacitcally, it allows Salgueiro the freedom he needs to make things happen in and around the opposition goal.

3. Re-discovering the Olimpia garra

Olimpia winning the 1979 Libertadores – Photo: ABC.com.py

Go back through the annals of this tournament and despite being much smaller than the Argentinian, Brazilian and major Uruguayan clubs you will find that Olimpia have picked up some wonderful results in this competition especially away from the Paraguayan capital. In 1979 they got a 0-0 draw in the Bombonera to win the trophy having beaten Boca in the home leg, in 2002 they actually lost the first leg at home to Sã0 Caetano and were a goal down at halftime in the Pacaembú only to score twice in the second half and take the game to penalties, which they won. In 2012 they didn’t manage to win an away game, their only point on the road came in a thrilling 3-3 draw with Flamengo but that was only 15 minutes of magic. This year they fought hard against Newell’s before losing in Rosario but were imperious in Venezuela and Chile, the result against Universidad de Chile was a typical ‘smash and grab’ that epitomised the Olimpia spirit.

Now they face Tigre in the next round, the team from Buenos Aires province have been awful in the league but seem to lead a charmed life in cup competitions. They also have a great record against the guaraní sides, knocking out Cerro of the 2012 Sudamericana with a swashbuckling display which they repeated in the incredible 5-3 victory over Libertad to eliminate them last week. I have a feeling El Decano will prove to be sterner stuff with Almeida’s experience and that garra coming to the fore.

Ralph Hannah

Copa Libertadores 2013: Libertad vs Tigre preview

Libertad vs Tigre
Nicolas Leóz, Asunción
18/04/2013; 18:45 (23:45 BST)
Group Stages
TV: Fox Sports (Paraguay); ESPN (UK)

Make or break, all or nothing, I didn’t expect to be attaching those kind of cliches to Libertad’s final group game following their wonderful start; however the consecutive draws with Sporting Cristal and loss against Palmeiras means that they must avoid defeat tonight to qualify. Tigre of course will be going all out for the win, three points will see the Copa Sudamericana finalists qualify and depending on going ons in Lima they could even finish top. While one might expect a big crowd tonight the presidential elections and the two largest parties’ rallies just before kick off time mean turnout will be very low, in fact it will be almost impossible to reach the stadium. Nice one politicians.

Libertad train thinking ahead to Tigre game – Photo: Prensa Club Libertad

Ruben Israel’s team have been struggling recently although it is hard to put a finger on why they’ve suffered so much. Goals have been the issue most recently, they haven’t scored in the last 300 minutes of football and crucially in two of the last three games the Velazquez/Nuñez partnership has been disrupted. Expect those two to start tonight however and although neither found the net against Olimpia a vital member of the team returns tonight, Pablo Guiñazú. This is without doubt the strongest possible team, even if Nelson Romero or Sebastian Eguren were to make an appearance it will be on merit of recent individual performances – the Gumarelo have strength in depth.

Libertad and Olimpia drew 0-0 in the Guma’s previous game – Photo: Prensa Club Libertad

Tigre are on a poor run of form themselves, 6 defeats in their last 7, the only high point was the victory last week over Sporting Cristal that has kept their qualification hopes alive. We saw last year in the Copa Sudamericana that Tigre lead a charmed life in continental competition regardless of how badly they are performing on the domestic scene. Undoubtedly the dangerman is Ruben Botta, a very talented player who came through the Boca Juniors ranks and was reportedly signed by Inter Milan this week.

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

Tigre XI (possible): Javier Garcia; Norberto Paparatto, Mariano Echeverría, Alejandro Donati, Martín Galmarini; Diego Ferreira, Diego Castaño, Ramiro Leone, Ruben Botta, Matias Perez Garcia, Ezequiel Maggiolo

Prediction: 3-1

Selected Odds: Libertad win 1.7, Draw 3.85, Tigre win 6.4, 3-1 home win 17, Over 2.5 goals 2.16

Best Bet: Expect Tigre to go for it, they have no other option, I think Libertad will profit from that and fancy them for the outright win. Over 2.5 goals is at your own risk, as discussed above they have had trouble scoring so maybe I’m optimistic thinking they’ll score so many.

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Stats

Libertad head-to-head vs Argentine opposition (Continental Competitions)

Pld 27 W 10 D 4 L 13 GF 25 GA 34

Libertad record in Nicolas Leoz Stadium (Copa Libertadores)

Pld 11 W 7 D 4 L 0 GF 27 GA 10

Libertad have failed to win their last four Copa Libertadores games against Argentine sides in Asunción, the last win was against Banfield in 2007, Cristian Riveros with the only goal

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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

Copa Libertadores 2013 – Olimpia top group in style, Libertad keep waiting, Cerro Porteño sink lower

A mixed week for the Paraguayan clubs with Olimpia putting in a great performance last night straight after Libertad couldn’t fight back against ten men. Cerro Porteño were on the end of a 5-1 thrashing in Cuzco having sent a B team and the assistant manager to the old Incan capital. Here are the goals with a brief round up.

Olimpia vs Newell’s
(1-0) 4-1 – Ferreyra x 2, Salgueiro x 2; Casco

The sending off early in the first half left Newell’s a goal down and too much to do, but credit must also go to Ever Almeida who got his team selection right and was rewarded with a great individual display from Juan Manuel Salgueiro.

Palmeiras vs Libertad
(0-0) 1-0 – Charles

A goal just after halftime was enough for the Brazilian team in a scrappy affair littered with fouls and exacerbated by an over-officious referee who gave Libertad a lifeline with his controversial sending off of Palmeiras player, Wesley.

Real Garcilaso vs Cerro Porteño
(2-1) 5-1 – Oscar Gamarra x 2, Fabio Ramos, Mauricio Montes, Victor Ferreira; Roberto Nanni

Another embarrassing defeat for Cerro Porteño who seemed to be coping with the altitutde until the final 20 minutes when they conceded three goals. They never looked like taking anything away from this game however.

By Ralph Hannah

Copa Libertadores 2013: Olimpia vs Newell’s Old Boys preview

Olimpia vs Newell’s Old Boys
Defensores del Chaco, Asunción
11/04/2013; 20:30 (01:30 BST)
Group Stages
TV: Fox Sports (Latin America); ESPN (UK)

In Rosario, Newell’s got the better of Olimpia or in other words Tata Martino out thought Ever Almeida. Two months on and Newell’s are fighting for the league championship while Olimpia are much improved and fully focussed on the Libertadores. Tonight’s match is likely to be competitive and a fascinating tactical battle.

Ale Silva replaces Richard Ortiz in midfield – Photo: Olimpia Oficial Facebook

At the weekend Almeida rested several players because despite qualifiying for the knockout phase already, the Paraguayans want first place which will give them an easier draw in the last 16. Fredy Bareiro and Juan Manuel Salgueiro are the key players going forward but of most interest will be midfield. Richard Ortiz is suspended and so there will be so much pressure on Eduardo Aranda to provide a defensive barrier in midfield with Pittoni and Ale Silva unlikely to offer much support.

Martino makes an emotional return to the Defensores – Photo: estadio.com.py

Hernan Villalba is the man who will start the moves for the away team from the base of midfield, the form man up front is Igancio Scocco having scored twice in the last cup match against Deportivo Lara. There is a long injury list that will help Olimpia – Maxi Rodriguez and Marcos Caceres haven’t traveled and fortunately Maxi Urruti won’t make the trip (accused of racism by Salustiano Candia in the previous meeting).

Olimpia XI (probable): Martín Silva; Salustiano Candia, Herminio Miranda, Julio Manzur; Jose Baez, Alejandro Silva, Eduardo Aranda, Wilson Pittoni, Sebastián Ariosa; Juan Manuel Salgueiro; Fredy Bareiro

Newell’s Old Boys XI (possible): Nahuel Guzman; Milton Casco, Santiago Vergini, Gabriel Heinze, Victor Lopez; Hernan Villalba, Pablo Perez, Rinaldo Cruzado, Martin Tonso; Ignacio Scocco, Victor Figueroa

Prediction: 2-1

Selected Odds: Olimpia win 3.05, Draw 3.2, Newell’s win 2.74, 2-1 home win 13.0, Over 2.5 goals 2.46

Best Bet: Home win, taking into account the players missing from the Newell’s team, also Olimpia on a good run of form, three straight wins, unbeaten in five.

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Stats

Olimpia vs Argentine opposition (Copa Libertadores)

Pld 29 W 11 D 8 L 10

Olimpia last 5 Copa Libertadores Home

Pld 5 W 3 D 1 L 1 GF 12 GA 7

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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

Copa Libertadores 2013: Palmeiras vs Libertad preview

Palmeiras vs Libertad
Pacaembú, São Paulo
28/02/2013; 18:15 (23:15 BST)
Group Stages
TV: Fox Sports (Paraguay); ESPN (UK)

A big crowd is expected in Brazil’s largest city with the Verdão looking for a win to secure passage into the next round. Libertad too need a victory to be sure they are into the knockout phases although they have a home game against Tigre next week in case they can’t wrap things up this evening. The previous encounter between these sides in Asunción finished 2-0 to the Paraguayan outfit.

Almost the same team as before, minus Velazquez – Photo: Prensa Club Libertad

Libertad make just one change from last time around, Pablo Velazquez is suspended so the Uruguayan Mauro Guevgeozian will partner José Ariel Nuñez (back from injury) up front. If Sergio Aquino doesn’t play in central midfield his replacement will be Sebastian Eguren. Expect the Gumarelo to be defensive, a point is golden here and Ruben Israel won’t want to overstretch his side in the vast expanses of the Pacaembú. As ever Cholo Guiñazú is the lynchpin, breaking up plays and the go-to man in midfield to keep possession and maintain rhythm.

Libertad are in Sao Paulo for the first time in the Copa Libertadores – Photo: Prensa Club Libertad

Second division Palmeiras are still one of the stronger sides in the tournament and to date have a 100% record at home. In front of an expectant crowd they are likely to perform better than they did in February against Libertad. They are currently on an excellent run of form, winning their previous three matches.

Palmeiras XI (possible): Fernando Prass; Ayrton, Mauricio Ramos, Henrique, Marcelo Oliveira; Juninho, Marcio Araujo, Souza, Charles; Klever; Vinicius

Libertad XI (probable): Rodrigo Muñoz; Jorge Moreira, Pedro Benitez, Ismael Benegas, Gustavo Mencia; William Mendieta, Sergio Aquino, Pablo Guiñazu, Miguel Samudio; Mauro Guevgeozian , José Ariel Nuñez

Prediction: 1-0

Selected Odds: Palmeiras win 2.08, Draw 3.5, Libertad win 4.2, 1-0 home win 7.6, Under 2.5 goals 1.71

Best Bet: Under 2.5 goals in what is sure to be a tight battle.

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Stats

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

Pld 15 W 4 D 4 L 7 GF 13 GA 17

Libertad’s first ever Copa Libertadores game in São Paulo, in the 2011 Sudamericana they lost 1-0 to SPFC in the Morumbi

Libertad last 5 home (Copa Libertadores)

Pld 5 W 2 D 3 L 0 GF 7 GA 4

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

Copa Libertadores 2013: Real Garcilaso vs Cerro Porteño preview

Real Garcilaso vs Cerro Porteño
Estadio Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, Cuzco
10/04/2013; 18:45 (23:45 BST)
Group Stages
TV: Fox Sports 2 (Paraguay); ESPN (UK)

A matter of pride for Cerro Porteño who are yet to register a point in this year’s edition of the Copa Libertadores. They face Real Garcilaso of Peru who beat the Barrio Obrero club in the dying minutes of their previous meeting in La Olla while Jorge Fossati was still in charge. Tonight it is Blas Cristaldo who will be directing proceedings from the bench with Chiqui Arce staying at home to train another group thinking ahead to the league match at the weekend.

Assistant Blas Cristaldo is in charge tonight – Photo: Ultimahora.com

A virtual B (or C) team will take to the field tonight – youngsters like Cesar Serna, Oscar Romero and Danilo Ortiz line-up with bit part players such as Nestor Ramirez and Edison Torres. They have had little preparation for the altitude so getting a result won’t be easy. The only positive is that Garcilaso have been unable to record a win at home to date.

Cerro were outdone by Garcilaso in the first meeting – Photo: Jorge Saenz/AP

Real Garcilaso can still qualify so they have it all to play for, a healthy Paraguayan contingent will be on the field from the start tonight, most notably Rolando Bogado and Victor Ferreira in defence and attack respectively. The altitude will also favour the Cusqueños, the Estadio Garcilaso sits 3,399 m (11,152 ft) above sea level.

Cerro Porteño XI (probable): Pablo Gavilan; Gonzalo Viera, Julio Dominugez, Danilo Ortiz, Edison Torres; Cesar Serna, Nestor Ramirez, Ivan Torres; Oscar Romero, Roberto Nanni, Rodrigo Lopez

Real Garcilaso XI (possible): Diego Carranza; Joel Herrera, Luis Guadalupe, Rolando Bogado, Ivan Santillan; Ivan Aparicio, Edwin Retamoso, Christian Vildoso, Cesar Ortiz; Fabio Ramos, Victor Ferreira

Prediction: 3-0 this game is being handed to the Peruvians with the Cerro team selection

Selected Odds: Real Garcilaso win 1.34, Draw 5.2, Cerro win 14.0, 3-0 home win 8.4, Over 2.5 goals 2.08

Best Bet: Garcilaso/Garcilaso is almost evens which tempts me more than everything else on offer

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Stats

Cerro’s previous game against Peruvian opposition was in March 2002, they beat Alianza 2-0 at home

Cerro last 5 away (Copa Libertadores)

Pld 5 W 0 D 2 L 3 GF 2 GA 5

Cerro last 6 Continental Comps. (All venues)

Pld 5 W 1 D 0 L 5 GF 5 GA 10

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Cerro Porteño Squad that traveled to Peru

Pablo Gavilán, Gonzalo Viera, Julio Domínguez, Danilo Ortiz, Edison Torres, César Serna, Néstor Ramírez, Iván Arturo Torres, Óscar Romero, Hernán Rodrigo López, Roberto Nanni, Júnior Fernández, César Benítez, Sergio Vergara, Jorge Rojas, Paúl Ambrosi, Guillermo Beltrán, Alejandro da Silva.

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

Copa Libertadores 2013: Olimpia qualify for knockout stages with fifth straight win in Chile

Universidad de Chile vs Olimpia
Estadio Nacional de Chile, Santiago
(0-0) 0-1 – Richard Ortiz

Two huge games, two one-nil wins and both goals coming from the captain Richard Ortiz. Having won the clásico at the weekend the 22-year-old midfielder was the key man again in Chile with a goal just after halftime earning all three points and booking a place in the second round.

It is the first time since 2003 that Olimpia have made the knockout stages of the Libertadores and they still have a game to play. Ortiz’s goal was the result of a wonderful pass by Juan Manuel Salgueiro, my man of the match, and the strike came just minutes after Universidad de Chile felt they should have been awarded a goal themselves. Fredy Bareiro managed to clear a point blank header off the line although replays suggest it may have just crept over.

Ortiz has been a key player in recent matches – Photo: D10.com.py

This time next week El Decano will receive Newell’s Old Boys in Asunción in their final group match.

By Ralph Hannah

Copa Libertadores 2013: Universidad de Chile vs Olimpia preview

Universidad de Chile vs Olimpia
Estadio Nacional de Chile, Santiago
04/04/2013; 20:30 (01:30 BST)
Group Stages
TV: Fox Sports (Latin America); ESPN (UK)

Olimpia travel to Chile trying to maintain their position at the top of the group and at the very least avoid a defeat that could put them out of the qualification zone depending on the group’s other fixture that also takes place tonight. El Decano are fresh from a clásico victory on Saturday and also possess one of the tournament’s leading goalscorers, Fredy Bareiro, who has netted four times so far in 2013.

Olimpia players in the airport pre-flight to Chile – Photo: D10.com.py

In the previous meeting Olimpia overwhelmed the Chileans from the start with two goals in the opening ten minutes that La U simply couldn’t recover from. Tonight they are expected to play their normal 3-5-1-1 formation with Juan Manuel Salgueiro playing off Fredy Bareiro and Wilson Pittoni the major creator in midfield. Richard Ortiz and Eduardo Aranda provide the protection in the central areas with both wing-backs attacking-minded. Pittoni has been the most improved player in recent weeks, he could be key tonight if he finds space behind the Chileans midfield.

Fredy ‘Zorro’ Bareiro is in good form – Photo: Futgol3d.com.py

There is no doubt that the current Universidad de Chile side is a shadow of the team that won the Copa Sudamericana and they have struggled in the group so far losing at home to Newell’s and scoring just 1 per game. Olimpia on the other hand have 11 goals in their first four matches. Nicolas Maturana is always a danger while defender José Rojas is back from suspension.

Universidad de Chile XI (probable): Johnny Herrera; Igor Lichnovsky, Albert Acevedo, José Rojas; Eugenio Mena, Sebastián Martínez, Roberto Cereceda, Guillermo Marino, Nicolas Maturana, Cesar Cortés, Sebastian Ubilla

Olimpia XI (probable): Martín Silva; Salustiano Candia, Herminio Miranda, Julio Manzur; Jorge Baez, Eduardo Aranda, Richard Ortiz, Wilson Pittoni, Sebastián Ariosa; Juan Manuel Salgueiro; Fredy Bareiro

Prediction: 1-1

Selected Odds: Uni de Chile win 1.72, Draw 3.9, Olimpia win 5.8, 1-1 draw 8.2, Under 2.5 goals 1.91

Best Bet: BTTS seems a nice bet here with neither side renowned for their defensive stability

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Stats

Olimpia last 5 Copa Libertadores Away

Pld 5 W 1 D 2 L 2 GF 9 GA 13

Olimpia last 5 Continental Comps. (All venues)

Pld 5 W 3 D 1 L 1 GF 13 GA 6

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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