Nacional (Paraguay) – Argentinos Jrs (Argentina)

Nacional Asuncion are heading to the Copa Sudamericana after being knocked out in the Copa Libertadores’ third round (losing to Chilean side Palestino on penalties after a 2-0 home loss and a 3-1 away success). On Saturday, La Academia also lost 1-0 away at Cerro Porteno to make it four losses across their last five competitive games, along with a single success. Following that streak, they dropped down to the bottom spot in the Paraguayan Torneo Apertura table on five points after ten matches and coach Juan Pablo Pumpido left the club. In addition, Nacional lost their last two matches as the hosting side.

Argentinos Juniors ended up in 12th spot of the Argentine league aggregate table in 2023 to return to the Copa Sudamericana and will fight to improve their best campaign in this competition (semi-finalist in 2008). El Bicho are going through a remarkable moment of form: they beat Instituto 2-1 last Thursday to become the only leaders in the Copa Liga Profesional group A on 24 points, two over Talleres and Barracas Central. Argentinos also made it five matches unbeaten in all competitions, winning four and drawing one. On away turf, they stopped a ten-match winless streak of five draws and five losses.

Nacional are last in the paraguayan league and should have a tough time against one of the best teams in the argentinian league who are leading one of the groups of the Copa de la Liga and shouldn’t have any problems to advance in this competition.