With the Copa America now done and dusted, the Copa Sudamericana will recommence in midweek, with Club Libertad taking on Universidad Catolica at Estadio ueno Defensores del Chaco.
The round of 32 will feature the third-placed teams from the Copa Libertadores groups taking on the teams that finished second in the group stage of this competition for a spot in the last 16.
Match preview
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Libertad were drawn into a challenging group in the Copa Libertadores, which included the likes of Argentine Primera Division champions River Plate, Nacional from Uruguay and Venezuelan outfit Deportivo Tachira.
Despite failing to qualify for the round of 16 in the premier continental competition, Libertario put on a solid showing, managing seven points in their six matches, missing out on a top-two finish by three points.
While their continental cup ambitions may not have gone as they would have hoped, Ariel Galeano's side have been incredible domestically, currently leading the Paraguayan Primera Division by three points from Cerro Perteno.
Ahead of the international break, Libertad had rattled off five wins in a row in all competitions, during which they scored two or more goals four times while also keeping four clean sheets.
The hosts are also on a four-match winning streak at Estadio ueno Defensores del Chaco and have only lost two games in their last 14 at the venue, which were against formidable opponents in Cerro Porteno and River Plate.
Meanwhile, the last time Universidad Catolica visited Asuncion was in the 2021 Copa Libertadores second stage, and they drew the match 2-2 but were knocked out on aggregate having lost the home leg 1-0 a week earlier.
This season, Los Santos enjoyed an impressive group stage in this competition, finishing just one point behind Cruzeiro and six clear of Alianza in the table, with a record of three wins, two draws and just one loss in six games.
However, Jorge Celico's side were not in the best form before the international break, as they managed just a single victory in their last six matches in all competitions, which saw them slip to fifth place in their domestic league while also costing them the top spot in the group stage of this competition.
On the road, the Ecuadorian outfit are currently on a three-match losing streak and are winless in their last five. The last time the side managed an away victory was on April 24 against Alianza.
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Team News
Libertad are set to remain without the services of Hector Villalba, who underwent surgery on his knee and is still some way from returning to first-team action.
Veteran centre-forward Oscar Cardozo came off the bench in the last match and found the back of the net to take his tally to seven for this season and he is likely to return to the starting lineup this week.
Despite missing a penalty against Macara in their last match, Jose Fajardo more than made up for the error by opening the scoring from open play shortly after and setting up Jhon Cifuente for the all-important second goal later in the game.
Fajardo and Cifuente should team up in attack alongside Aron Rodriguez in this match, with Argentine Facundo Martinez likely to operate in the number 10 role behind the forward trio.
Club Libertad possible starting lineup:
Morinigo; Ramirez, Viera, Gimenez, Espinoza; Britez, Caballero, Lezcano, Benitez; Franco, Cardoso
Universidad Catolica possible starting lineup:
Romo; Arroyo, Minda, Vallecilla, Loor; Quevedo, Nieto, Martinez; Cifuentes, Fajardo, Franco
We say: Club Libertad 2-1 Universidad Catolica
Barring their Copa Libertadores disappointment, Libertad are enjoying a very impressive season and were in excellent form ahead of the international break. The hosts also got the better of this opponent a couple of seasons ago and we feel they will do likewise this time around.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Devesh Jaganath
