Palmeiras vs Cerro Porteño
Palmeiras found it easy to beat Cerro Porteno 3-0 away in Paraguay last Wednesday. Therefore, the defending champions will advance to the quarter-finals even losing by a two-goal margin at home. They won all seven games in the Copa Libertadores so far. However, that win was their only success across the last four in all competitions, drawing one and losing two following their 2-0 home defeat to Athletico Paranaense last Saturday (playing with an alternative XI). Nevertheless, O Verdao are leaders in the Brasileirao on 29 points (two above Athletico Paranaense and Athletico Mineiro). Saturday’s loss also broke their ten-match unbeaten streak of eight victories and two draws at home.
Meanwhile, Cerro Porteno have a mountain to climb if they want to reach the quarter-finals following their 3-0 home defeat to Palmeiras last week. On Saturday, coach Francisco Arce decided to rest most of his regulars. The team beat Tacuary 1-0 at home. El Ciclon broke a two-game losing streak in all competition and remain second-placed in the Paraguayan league table (without chances of fighting for the title as Libertad hold a seven-point lead with one round to go). Cerro lost 1-0 to Libertad in their last away game after three games unbeaten on the road (two victories and one draw).
Palmeiras should get another easy win and advance towards their third consecutive Copa Libertadores.