We have reached the round of 16 stage of the 2021 Copa Libertadores and the second legs are being played this week. The final game to be played will take place on the 23rd of July as Internacional meet Olimpia Asunción at the Estádio José Pinheiro Borda.
The tie is level at 0-0 going into the second leg and there is all to play for as both teams will believe they have a good chance of progressing.
Internacional come into the game having defeated Juventude 1-0 at home in the Brazilian Serie A on the weekend. Internacional opened the scoring after 51 minutes and when the opposition were reduced to 10 men with 11 minutes of the game remaining, Internacional were in control of the match.
That was the first victory for Internacional in 7 attempts and they have won only 2 of their last 10 fixtures in all competitions.
Their recent home record has been poor and Internacional have recorded just a single victory from their last 9 home games in all competitions.
Nonetheless, Internacional have not lost in 5 of their last 6 games in the Copa Libertadores and are undefeated in their last 3 at the Estádio José Pinheiro Borda. Those results include big wins over Olimpia Asunción and Deportivo Táchira in the group stage of the competition this season.
Olimpia Asunción started their new season in the domestic Paraguay league on the weekend and made a disappointing start, losing 3-1 at home to River Plate. They found themselves 2-0 down after 28 minutes and despite getting a goal back just before half-time, River Plate added a third on the hour mark and there was no way back for Olimpia Asunción.
That result means they have failed to win any of their last 2 matches following the 0-0 draw at home with Internacional in the first leg of this tie. Olimpia Asunción’s recent away record shows only 2 wins from their last 6 matches on the road. There have been 4 defeats, including the heavy 6-1 loss at Internacional in the group stage of the Copa Libertadores this season.
Trends show Olimpia Asunción have won just 1 of their last 6 away matches in Copa Libertadores and there have been over 2.5 goals scored in each of their last 4 on the road.
Team news and Internacional are set to be without four players for this game due to injury, with Renzo Saravia, Zé Gabriel, Paolo Guerrero, and Rodrigo Moledo on the treatment table.
Olimpia Asunción are likely to recall right-back Sergio Otalvaro who was suspended for the first leg. Jorge Recalde could be partnered by veteran striker, Roque Santa Cruz in attack.
We expect to see plenty of goals in this game and it would not be a surprise to see over 2.5 goals and both teams scoring.
However, considering the result in the group stage, home advantage and the poor away record of Olimpia Asunción in the Copa Libertadores, a comfortable victory for Internacional is on the cards.
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