Barcelona Guayaquil vs Cerro Porteno Predictions

• Barcelona have won 15 of their last 21 home games.
• Barcelona have conceded just once over their last 4 matches.
• Cerro Porteno haven’t won any of their last 5 Libertadores away games, losing twice in the process.

Barcelona looking to establish a lead

Having seen off Uruguayans Progreso and Peruvians Sporting Cristal to reach this point, Ecuadorians Barcelona have been looking strong in the Libertadores so far this year but they now face a significantly harder test in this final showdown for a group stage place.

Indeed, there is no clear favourite in the tie overall and it’ll likely be settled by whoever best uses their home advantage; leaving the ball firmly in Barcelona’s court on Thursday. Nonetheless, with 15 wins from 21 home games behind them, the hosts should be able to handle the pressure and will be looking to establish a lead to take with them to the return fixture.

Cerro Porteno looking to stay in the tie

Meanwhile, whilst they didn’t fully convince over the two games, Cerro Porteno managed to get the better of Peruvians Universitario 2-1 aggregate to reach this point. Nonetheless, with hopes of reaching the group stage, El Ciclon will have to improve significantly in this tie if they are to get the better of a strong opponent.

Without a win in 5 Libertadores away games, Cerro Porteno haven’t tended to be much of a force on their continental travels and that leaves them looking to stay in the tie on the night. Indeed, they are likely to put men behind the ball and play in a defensive manner; with most of their attacking expected to come in the second leg. 

A home win is expected

Ultimately, although there’s not much between the two on paper, Barcelona are clear favourites when looking at Thursday’s game as a standalone fixture. They are typically very strong on home soil and with Cerro poor travellers in the Libertadores, a home win simply has to be expected.

All things considered, we see backing a Barcelona win as the best way to play as far as the betting is concerned and are more than happy to do so. They’ve only conceded 1 goal in their last 4 home outings and that kind of defensive solidarity should allow them to grind out a narrow 1-0 win.