Sporting Cristal vs Olimpia Asuncion Predictions

Friday’s Copa Libertadores group stage action sees Peruvians Sporting Cristal going up against Paraguayans Olimpia in a match of real importance. A close game is expected to be in order, with little looking like separating the two sides.

Sporting Cristal have hardly been a force in the Libertadores in recent years but after winning the Peruvian top flight last season, they came into 2019 hopeful of putting a respectable continental campaign. Nonetheless, after taking just 1 point from a trip to Universidad de Concepción and a home clash with Godoy Cruz, the side come into Friday’s match knowing a bad result would make it almost certain that they’ll crash out at the group stage once again.

The hosts may not have impressed in continental action so far, but they are at least in good form, raising spirits ahead of Friday’s game. Indeed, they’ve lost just 1 of their last 15 competitive outings and having also won 7 of their last 8 home games, they bring plenty of momentum with them into the game.

Meanwhile, Paraguayan champions Olimpia are fancied to do well in the competition this year but need to start stepping things up if they’re to go any further than the group stage. The visitors haven’t made a disastrous start, drawing away to Godoy Cruz and at home to Universidad de Concepcion, but they could really do with a win to assert some authority over the group.

Unbeaten in 15 matches, Olimpia are clearly a force to be reckoned with and on paper, they are the strongest side in this group. Nonetheless, history isn’t on Olimpia’s side coming into this game, as they’ve rarely been a force on the road in the Libertadores, having not won any of their last 12 away games within it.

Ultimately, we’re expecting a close, tight game here. There’s a lot at stake and the fear of losing the game could well outweigh the reward of winning for both teams. Both parties arrive in good shape, neither lose often and as such, it’s very tough to separate the two.

All things considered, backing a draw looks to provide excellent value as far as the betting goes and is exactly where our money is going. Sporting Cristal have draw 5 of their last 8 Libertadores home games, 5 of Olimpia’s last 7 games have ended all square and we can envisage both streaks continuing via a 0-0 stalemate.