Nacional v Sol de América

Nacional will welcome Sol de América to the Arsenio Erico knowing that a win would put them top of the table. The strong start for Pedro Sarabia’s side has been driven by his young stars, Facundo Bruera (23), Gustavo Caballero (20) and Francisco Morel (18) who have provided all five goals to date.

It has been these attacking talents that are pushing the Academia up the table rather than the defense. They have conceded in their last seven matches and have registered just one clean sheet in 15 outings. Defender Richard Garcia is back for this game following his 2-match suspension for a red card in the season opener against General Caballero.

Sol de América have found it hard in front of goal, just one strike from open play in the Clausura which brought about their only win (1-0 vs lowly 12 de Octubre). Pablo Guiñazú is new to the coaching circuit and still getting used to management. He will have to contend without Rodrigo Alborno and Cristian Núñez, both were sent off in the previous game against Cerro Porteño. The experienced Gustavo Mencia a likely replacement in the back line while Fatecha will probably slot into the midfield. The big question so far has been if Cholo will play both Santiago Salcedo and Cristian Duma together up front. Until now it has been one or the other, but with goals lacking there must be a temptation to pair the strikers together. 

The last meeting was a resounding 3-0 win for the danzarín and in fact the team from Villa Elisa are unbeaten in four against Nacional. But the recent form, and with players missing from the visitors, suggests the tide will turn.

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Sportivo Ameliano v Cerro Porteño

Humberto Garcia’s solid start to the season with Sportivo Ameliano will be given a stern test in Ciudad del Este where they host league leaders Cerro Porteño. La V Azulada pulled off a huge shock in week 1 by overcoming champions Libertad and have followed that up with another 2-0 victory in the Barrio Jara derby against Tacuary.

In contrast to last season the results have been built on defensive stability, and Ameliano boast three clean sheets in their previous five games. During the Apertura they only managed a shut out on four occasions. Garcia had relied heavily on central defender Walter Cabrera, who played under him at General Díaz, and got more minutes than anybody else during the Apertura. But for the game against Cerro he has confirmed the same Hugo Benítez and Leonardo Incorvaia partnership that blanked out Tacuary.

Cerro Porteño will still be missing Robert Piris da Motta in midfield after his suspension was extended to two games, but that absence won’t be felt as much with Ángel Lucena having completed 85 minutes in the victory over Sol. The other plus was the goal, a sublime halfway line strike, for Federico “Pachi” Carrizo on his first start back for the club. That kind of spark is needed with Braian Samudio still yet to score and Marcelo Martins showing lean returns since joining in January.

The odds are surprisingly long on the current leaders who have registered 59 points in 2022, only one less than Libertad. The fact the game is being played in Ciudad del Este shouldn’t be seen as a disadvantage, Cerro’s last game there three years ago was a win against Santaní. The trip to the Paraguayan-Brazilian border is just as long for Ameliano who lost on their last trip outside of the capital (1-3 to Guaireña in Week 2).

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Tacuary v Olimpia

Olimpia left it late against Guaireña, but got the job done and score twice for the fourth successive time in the league. They are on a very strong run domestically since April, having only dropped points to the Big Two (Cerro/Libertad) and a 1-1 draw with Nacional. 

Luis Zárate and Hugo Quintana (both suspended) will be missing again this week and a lot of whispers around Julio César Cáceres’ camp suggest the 18-year-old Matías Almeida might finally get a chance in the senior side. The grandson of legend Ever Almeida, he has netted 22 goals in 24 games playing across the youth and reserve sides so far this year. Should he play it would be tough on Brian Montenegro who came off the bench to strike home the winner in the last game. Incredibly Olimpia finished that match with five forwards on the pitch as they continue this gung-ho style that has been working to date.

Tacuary are on a wretched run of eight games without a win and just two goals during that streak. So far this season they have tried to blood youngsters, giving more minutes to U19s than any other side. New signing Igor will be suspended for this game having been given his marching orders in the derby defeat to Ameliano. With that dent to an already damaged defence, it could be a busy night for veteran goalkeeper Carlos Servín.

The last meeting was a comfortable 4-1 victory for Olimpia and they also scored over 1.5 goals in the first Apertura fixture, a 2-0 win. With that paying slightly better than the outright win, and so many attacking players at their disposal it seems the smart bet.

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Guaraní v 12 de Octubre

Guaraní were incensed at the decision that resulted in Luis Fariña getting sent off in the previous game against Resistencia. A judgement that has now been rectified as the playmaker had his card rescinded and will be allowed to take on 12 de Octubre.

That surprise 0-0 draw, the first Guaraní have been involved in since February, is unlikely to be repeated assuming Fariña gets his full share of minutes. That said, question marks are appearing around Fernando Fernández who is usually the main source of goals – his drought stretches back five games, a long dry patch for a player of his calibre. In defence the aurinegro have lost Roberto Fernández who has joined Dynamo Moscow, but could welcome back fullback Miguel Benítez who has been playing for the reserves after a 9-month injury layoff.

12 de Octubre have been plunged into relegation battle following five straight defeats, the tejedores have just one win in 12 matches. They have conceded an average of 2.4 goals per game on this run and with the next game, after Guaraní, versus Libertad there doesn’t seem to be much light at the end of the tunnel. Ronald Roa suffered a serious injury in the last match against Nacional and will be absent for this clash.

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