Visitors Cerro Porteno will aim to secure their place in the round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores on Thursday by avoiding defeat against Bolivar at Estadio Hernando Siles.
Bolivar are fourth in their four-team group with three points but have already been eliminated, while the away side are second with seven points following their 1-0 win against Sporting Cristal on May 14 and need just one point to advance.
Match preview
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The hosts were beaten 2-0 by Brazilian giants Palmeiras on May 15, and they can have no complaints with the defeat given they mustered just two attempts inside the penalty area, one of which was on target.
Bolivar have conceded seven times in their last three Copa Libertadores outings, with five of those goals coming in the first half, and they trailed in each of those three matches by the 19th minute.
Los Celestes were defeated 4-2 by the visitors in the reverse fixture on April 1 despite originally taking the lead in the 17th minute, and they once again only produced two shots inside the box, creating one big chance while facing five.
Manager Flavio Robatto will hope that his side avoid a fourth consecutive loss in the Copa Libertadores, and it will be concerning that his team have lost four and drawn one of their past nine in all competitions.
However, it should be noted that the hosts have been outstanding at home, achieving victory in 14 of their 15 most recent games at Estadio Hernando Siles, and they have triumphed in 12 of their last 15 at the stadium in the Copa Libertadores.
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Meanwhile, Cerro Porteno had to withstand significant pressure against Sporting Cristal to hold onto their 14th-minute lead – facing 17 shots and relying on the woodwork once – and they were fortunate that Christopher Gonzales wasted a golden opportunity in the dying moments of the second half.
El Ciclon have proven to be resilient at the back having prevented their opponents from scoring in three of their last five, though they have conceded seven in five group games.
Boss Diego Martinez will know that while third-placed Sporting Cristal could leapfrog them given they have four points, his team's goal difference of zero is four better than their rivals and should be enough to see them reach the round of 16.
The visitors are unbeaten in five games – winning three and settling for draws in their last two – but they have lost two of their past four in the Copa Libertadores, winning just one in that period.
Cerro Porteno have also avoided defeat in their last five on the road while emerging victorious four times, and they have won three of their four most recent fixtures away from home in Copa Libertadores, keeping three clean sheets.
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Team News
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Bolivar only have concerns regarding the fitness of midfielder Erwin Saavedra, but regulars Robson Matheus, Leonel Justiniano and Carlos Melgar are available.
Centre-backs Miguel Torren and Ruben Ramirez partnered each other against Palmeiras, and despite the latter being forced off in that match, both are ready to play on Thursday.
Jhon Velasquez and Patricio Rodriguez are likely to flank centre-forward Fabio Gomes in a front three.
As for Cerro Porteno, defenders Alan Benitez and Bruno Valdez will miss out after being called up to the Paraguay national team.
With defender Guillermo Benitez also ruled out due to a knock, expect Rodrigo Gomez, Gustavo Velazquez, Lucas Quintana and Diego Leon to start in the backline.
In midfield, Piris da Motta may be stationed alongside Matias Perez in a double pivot, especially as Gaston Claudio Gimenez has also been called up to Paraguay's national team.
Attacker Jonathan Torres is suspended while Cecilio Dominguez is dealing with a shoulder injury; both started against Sporting Cristal, and their absences could see Martinez field Sergio Araujo and Francisco Da Costa together in the frontline.
Bolivar possible starting lineup:
Justiniano; Rocha, Torren, Ramirez, Sagredo; Matheus, Justiniano, Melgar; Velasquez, Gomes, Rodriguez
Cerro Porteno possible starting lineup:
Arias; Gomez, Velazquez, Quintana, Leon; Iturbe, Piris, Perez, Carrizo; Araujo, Da Costa
We say: Bolivar 1-1 Cerro Porteno
Cerro Porteno have been strong from a defensive perspective in recent weeks, and they may be able to limit the number of opportunities their hosts can create.
Bolivar's record at home is phenomenal, but considering they are in poor overall form, they could be held to a draw on Thursday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
