Athletico Paranaese vs Libertad Asuncion Predictions

• These teams met in Group B, with each winning their home games.
• Libertad have scored in each of their last six games and in 13 of their last 15.
• Athletico PR have only failed to score in one of their last 14 and both teams have scored in five of their last seven.
• PR are unbeaten in nine at home, winning seven, but have conceded in their last five.

Familiar foes face off in Curitiba

Athletico Paranaense face off against Libertad for the third time this season in the Copa Libertadores in the first leg of their last 16 clash in what should be a highly competitive tie.

These teams both came through Group B with a near identical record (W3, D1, L2) but Libertad emerged as group winners by virtue of a superior goal difference (+2 to PR’s +1).

The Paraguayan outfit are rated as the big underdogs to get a result in Brazil but this game may well be a lot closer than the odds suggest and the hosts at odds-on just don’t hold much appeal, and instead both teams to score looks a good option for our main bet.

Both teams boast strong attacks

In the group stages, both of these teams won their home games and kept clean sheets but I am expecting both teams to score in the first leg of this knockout tie.

These teams met in the previous round at this venue just over a month ago as PR ran out 2-0 winners. However, Libertad gave a great account of themselves, enjoying 51% possession and creating 10 chances with five on target, and on another day would have at least managed a goal to show for their efforts.

The first meeting in Paraguay was a similar affair with Libertad winning 1-0 but Athletico creating plenty of chances.

Libertad have scored in each of their last six games since drawing a blank in that loss at the Arena da Baixada and both teams to score has been a winning bet in three of Athletico’s last four games. Teams tend to go for it a bit more in knockout football, and on that basis I feel both teams to score offers good value here.

Home advantage may prove decisive

I may have swerved Athletico PR for the main bet, but they are in form and as such it makes sense to back them to seize the advantage with our correct score bet,

The Furacão have won their last three games and are unbeaten in nine at home (W7, D2) and a 2-1 win for the hosts appeals, as Libertad have only conceded more than twice once across all competitions this season.

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