The first leg of the 2025 Copa Libertadores Round of 16 between Cerro Porteño (Paraguay) and Estudiantes (Argentina) will take place on August 14 at the General Pablo Rojas Stadium in Asunción. Cerro Porteño vs. Estudiantes: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Cerro Porteño
The Paraguayan side advanced to the Round of 16 by finishing second in Group G. Diego Martinez's team avoided defeat in three out of six matches (2 wins, 1 draw) and edged out their closest rival by one point. However, it's worth noting that the team conceded 11 goals, the worst record among all playoff participants. In the last two editions of the Copa Libertadores, Cerro Porteño did not progress past the group stage, and prior to that, the club was eliminated in the Round of 16 for two consecutive years.
Defender Diego Leon has transferred to Manchester United. Several free agents have joined the team.
- The team has not won in 4 of their last 5 Copa Libertadores matches (1 draw, 3 losses).
- The Paraguayans have conceded in 6 consecutive home games in this tournament.
- At least one goal has been scored in both halves in 5 of Cerro Porteño's last home matches in the Copa Libertadores.
Predicted lineup for Cerro Porteño (3-5-2)
Alexis Martin Arias – Gustavo Velasquez, Matias Perez, Blas Riveros – Robert Piris, Wilder Viera, Federico Carrizo, Cecilio Dominguez, Dario Espinola – Sergio Araujo, Nelson Amarilla.
Estudiantes
Eduardo Dominguez's side topped Group A. The team collected 12 points (4 wins, 2 losses) and led their closest rival only on tiebreakers. Notably, in all their victories, the Argentinians kept a clean sheet. In the previous tournament edition, Estudiantes failed to advance beyond the group stage, finishing last in Group C. The last time the club reached the Round of 16 was in the 2021/22 season, where they successfully progressed past this stage.
In this transfer window, the team acquired goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, who replaced the loaned-out Matias Mansilla.
- The team's scoring streak in the Copa Libertadores spans 8 matches.
- In this tournament, the Argentinians have not won in 7 of their last 9 away games (4 draws, 3 losses).
- In 7 of their last 8 away games in the Copa Libertadores, Estudiantes have not conceded more than one goal.
Predicted lineup for Estudiantes (4-3-3)
Fernando Muslera – Gaston Benedetti, Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, Roman Gomez, Facundo Rodriguez – Santiago Ascacibar, Mikel Amondarain, Cristian Medina – Thiago Palacios, Lucas Alario, Fabrizio Perez.
Referee
Piero Maza (Chile)
Matches – 15 (International matches, 2024 - 2025);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 65;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.3;
Red cards shown – 2;
Average fouls per match – 23;
Penalties – 33%.
Cerro Porteño vs. Estudiantes: Match Prediction
The Paraguayans perform well at home. Cerro Porteño has avoided defeat in 7 of their last 8 home matches in the Copa Libertadores (4 wins, 3 draws), with their only loss in this stretch coming against Palmeiras. The strength of the Brazilian club is evident as they were the only team among the current playoff participants to advance through the group stage without dropping points. Estudiantes, on the other hand, have only two wins in their last 9 away matches in this tournament (4 draws, 3 losses), one of which was against the group's bottom team.
Cerro Porteño has been scoring consistently in their games. The team has netted 14 goals in their last 6 home matches in the Copa Libertadores, but they have not kept a clean sheet during this period. With such a defense, it will be challenging to contain Estudiantes' attack, which has scored in 5 of their last 6 away matches in this tournament. While the Argentinians kept a clean sheet four times in the group stage, overall, the club concedes regularly – in 9 of their last 13 Copa Libertadores matches.
My prediction: Cerro Porteño will not lose and Total Over 1.5 goals
