Fortaleza EC vs Cerro Porteno Prediction: Can Brazilian Underdogs Make Most of the Home Support?

In the upcoming fixture of the Copa Libertadores, Third Round, Qualification Final, Fortaleza will take on Cerro Porteno at the Arena Castelão in Fortaleza. Fortaleza did make commendable progress in last year’s Brazil Serie A competition and is now playing the qualification final against Cerro Porteno. Taking no credit away from Cerro Porteno, the Paraguayan side has also been in a top groove this season and is likely to give Fortaleza a very tough time at home. With Fortaleza playing the first leg at home, conditions will be a little friendly, however, the disadvantage and pressure will be on the visitors. The upcoming matchup will mark the first-ever outing of Fortaleza against Cerro Porteno. 

Going in the Libertadores qualification fixture, Fortaleza is coming off regular gameplay in Copa de Nordeste. The Brazilian domestic team is yet to begin its Serie A journey in April. Going in the contest, Fortaleza is coming off a defeat against Ceara (2-0) in which no player was able to fire. For the upcoming scheduled Libertadores fixture, Fortaleza will be hoping individual performances from Thiago Galhardo, Juan Martin Lucero, and Guilherme Augusto. Taking confidence from the Round 2 win, Fortaleza will look to stay consistent and bag another win in Libertadores.

Talking about the goal-scoring and conceding at an average of Fortaleza in the last 5 matches, the home side has scored 9 goals at an average of 1.95 goals per game. On the other hand, they have conceded just 3 goals, averaging just 0.6 goals. Hence, Fortaleza’s defense is quite reinforced and is likely to trouble Cerro Porteno. With the likes of Titi, Pacheco, and Alexandre playing at the back, Fortaleza’s defense will be very solid.

With 3 wins and 2 draws from the last 5 matches played, Cerro Porteno is evolving as the most consistent side in Paraguay this season. Coming off a draw against Olimpia (2-2), Alberto Espinola and Claudio Aquino scored goals. In the last Libertadores qualification outing against Curico Unidom Robert Morales emerged as the match-winner, scoring the only goal in the 51st minute of play. With the likes of Churin, Lucena, and Viera standing up front in the attack, Cerro Porteno is likely to have a reasonable performance against Fortaleza.

Having scored 7 goals in the last 5 matches played, Cerro Porteno averages 1.4 goals per game. Compared to the scoring rate, Cerro Porteno has conceded just three goals at an average of just 0.6 goals. Hence, we could predict that Cerro Porteno will be looking to play for a clean sheet draw in tomorrow’s event.

The upcoming electric fixture is likely to test the two sides, irrespective of the home or away situation. It seems as if Fortaleza is doing well and has command over its gameplay strategies. Therefore, I am expecting a draw between the two as the conceding average in the last five games of both teams is just 0.6. However, Fortaleza is capable of taking the lead and winning 1-0.

• Fortaleza EC to Win for 1.53
• Both Teams To Score - No for 1.632
• Correct Score 1-0 for 5