América have hit the ground running. After a stumble in their opening game against Tolima, a match they lost in the dying minutes, la Mechita have since swung into full gear. Rifling in eight goals in their last two games, América have now blitzed their way past Union Magdalena (xG 3.56) and Pasto (xG 2.3). This is a team that’s made to attack. Last season former Dortmund striker Adrian Ramos was still considered one of the best marksmen in the league, even at 37 years old. Former Spurs and Torino star Iago Falqué showed that when fit that he’s a class above most other players in this league.

Added to this attacking mix are the latest recruits. And the exciting thing for América is that all of them have taken to this season like a duck to water. Particularly impressive has been Carlos Darwin Quintero, who returns to the league after years banging in the goals in Mexico and the MLS. Andrés Sarmiento and Cristian Barrios offer creativity and pace, while Argentine striker Facundo Suárez has scored three in three and looks a quality number 9. These are early days and nobody’s getting carried away, especially considering how weak their defence looks. But América are clearly concentrating their efforts where they are strongest. And against an Equidad side that always starts the season slowly – this being only their second game this year because their stadium is being to host the U-20 South American championship – above 1.5 goals looks the stand-out option.

Guaireña are back at home and face the newly promoted Sportivo Trinidense with both sides having won one and lost one to open the season. For the Asunción-based team it is their second weekend in the countryside having faced Cerro Porteño in Encarnación the previous week.

Guaireña couldn’t give the home fans an opening day cheer despite taking the lead against Nacional, and they had seemingly let the lead slip to Tacuary last week only for Mario Otazú to grab a winner. The 26-year-old midfielder, back after a loan spell with Colón in Argentina, is an important addition to Roberto Torres’ team and will surely get his first start of the season here. One area for improvement is defense, the side have conceded four goals already the joint worst in the league. Torres made two changes to backline for the last match and could continue to tinker as he finds the preferred formula.

Sportivo Trinidense have proved to be strong opposition, a victory in the opening game followed by a narrow defeat to Cerro Porteño has earned early plaudits for young manager José Arrúa. The star man continues to be Lucas Barrios who can cause any defense problems in this league, but also keep an eye out on playmaker Pablo Ayala who returns to face his former club.

Last season these two teams faced off in the Copa Paraguay, a thrilling 3-2 win for Guaireña. The last league meeting was in the 2019 Intermedia which ended in a 1-1 draw – but both sides are unidentifiable since then. Guaireña’s home form and strength in front of goal should see them prevail in this game.

The defending champions return to action after a break due to the postponement of their game against Nacional. Tacuary have had a hopeless, pointless, start which saw manager Robert Pereira sacked. It is a former Olimpia legend Carlos Humberto Paredes who will take the side to the Manuel Ferreira Stadium to face the man he once shared a dressing room with.

Olimpia looked comfortable in their opening match against Sportivo Luqeño with Derlis González impressing. The extra week practice will have helped his new strike partner Facundo Bruera adapt to his new side and also give welcome rest for the elder statesmen of the side. Richard Ortiz was only used sparingly as a substitute in Week 1 but could be in line for a return to the starting XI where he will partner the excellent Marco Gomez.

Tacuary have yet to score from open play, their only goal was an Iván Váldez penalty against Guaireña and they go into this match without experienced defender Nery Bareiro (suspended). It will be a big ask for Carlos Humberto Paredes to get something from this match, in his first game in charge of Sportivo Luqueño he also had to debut against Olimpia and that ended in a stonking 7-0 defeat.