Defensor Sporting vs Cerro Porteno Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Tuesday’s Copa Libertadores action sees Uruguayans Defensor Sporting hosting Paraguayans Cerro Porteno in a crunch clash. The hosts are desperate for the three points and will be looking to claim them on home soil

With two games left to run in Group 1, Defensor find themselves 3 points behind Cerro, meaning picking up a win in this clash is the only option. The hosts were scandalously denied a point against the Paraguayans in the earlier meeting between the two, with Cerro winning 2-1 via a goal at the death that was clearly offside.

After losing at Monagas last time out in Libertadores action, the hosts have now lost both of their away games but a return to their own patch will ensure confidence levels rise. So far, La Viola have picked up 4 points at the Estadio Luis Franzini, drawing with holders Gremio and beating Monagas 3-1, extending a run of 11 home matches unbeaten in the competition, 8 of which wins. Having also won 5 of their last 6 games in front of the home crowd, it’s fair to say Defensor are a force to be reckoned with as hosts and they’ll be looking to demonstrate that once again on Tuesday evening.

Meanwhile, with a home game against Monagas to come, Cerro know that avoiding defeat will put them all but into the knockout rounds. El Ciclon took 7 points from their opening 3 group matches, but a 5-0 battering at Gremio in the last round of fixtures has severely damaged their goal difference and leaves them needing a result here to avoid a nail biting last game.

Luis Zubeldia’s troops arrive with spirits high after a 1-0 weekend win over arch rivals and league leaders Olimpia, but a return to the road in Libertadores action won’t bring back happy memories, with the Paraguayans having lost a staggering 11 times from their last 15 away games in the competition. The visitors have also lost 3 of their last 6 away games and clearly aren’t the same force on the road as they are at home.

Ultimately, we feel that Defensor can haul themselves back into contention with a win here. They were able to rest the majority of their starters over the weekend, whereas Cerro had to contest a highly intense derby, meaning there’s sure to be more fatigue present in away ranks.

Taking that into account, as well as Defensor’s strong continental home record against Cerro’s miserable away record, you really can only draw one conclusion, and that’s a home win. Backing Defensor to run out victorious looks to be the way to play, and that’s where our money is going, with a 1-0 Viola win on the cards.

Defensor Sporting possible starting XI: Rodriguez; Maulella, Goni, Correa, Suarez; Cardacio, Cabrera, Rabunal, Cougo; Rivero, Castro.

Cerro Porteno possible starting XI: Silva; Cáceres, Cáceres, Escobar, Arzamendia; Rojas, Palau, Novick, Fernández; Oviedo, Churín.