The Strongest vs Libertad Asuncion Predictions

Tuesday’s Copa Libertadores second round qualification, first leg clash sees Bolivians The Strongest doing battle with Paraguayans Libertad. The hosts will be looking to open up a sizeable advantage ahead of the return leg.

After making significant progress in the Libertadores back in 2017, reaching the last 16, The Strongest regressed in last season’s edition of the competition, crashing out of the group stage with just 3 points. Now back in it once again, the hosts will be looking for a sustained continental run but focus at the moment can only be on making it through the qualification rounds.

If The Strongest are to achieve anything in the competition this season, making full use of their home advantage is of paramount importance. Over 3,600 metres above sea level, the Estadio Hernando Siles is an extremely difficult place to travel to and having won 14 of their last 16 home matches, as well as 15 of their last 21 Libertadores home fixtures, the hosts will be confident of making visiting outfits suffer in the gruelling conditions, starting on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Libertad take to the pitch looking to carry over their performances from last season in the competition. The Paraguayans did very well to advance from the group phase, beating The Strongest twice in the process, and though they were eventually eliminated by eventual runners-up Boca Juniors in the last 16, El Repollero went further than initially imagined.

Nonetheless, the visitors haven’t made a great start to 2019, taking just 3 points from their opening 3 matches in domestic action and the fact they’ve already lost twice on the road across said fixtures is a big concern ahead of this trip. Indeed, going back to the end of last year, the side have not won any of their last 5 away matches and having shown signs of fatigue in a weekend 3-1 defeat away to Guarani, the side don’t look in peak physical condition.

Ultimately, the altitude factor is a huge one as far as calling a winner in this match goes. On paper, there’s not a huge amount between the two but the visitors are likely to struggle in such a draining environment. Libertad may have won here last year against all odds but said feat being repeated looks extremely unlikely, given their recent away showings and less than impressive physical state.

As such, we fancy The Strongest to win and do so comfortably, making backing them on the -1 handicap the way to play as far as the betting goes. They simply have to open up as big an advantage as possible ahead of the return leg and having scored an average of 3.37 goals a game over their last 16 home fixtures, we envisage them recording a comfortable 2-0 victory.