Fortaleza EC vs Libertad Asuncion Prediction (08.08.2023)

In the early hours of Wednesday, Fortaleza and Libertad clash at the Estadio Governador Placido Aderaldo Castelo in the Copa Sudamericana last-16 second leg. The first leg in Paraguay ended in a Fortaleza 1-0 win.

The Brazilian team have been in poor form of late, losing four of their last five matches in all competitions. However, maybe crucially for the home team in this tie, the exception was the first leg 1-0 win. Fortaleza has struggled for goals of late, as they have failed to score in four of their last seven games in the competition.

The home team has a stellar recent record in the Copa Sudamericana, winning seven of their last eight matches in the competition. Fortaleza has also won all four of their home games in the Copa Sudamericana while scoring at least two goals in each of the four wins.

The Paraguayan team has been on a slightly inconsistent recent run of form in all competitions. However, the first-leg defeat was their only loss in the last ten games. Libertad’s recent outings have followed a familiar low-scoring trend, as four of their previous five matches have produced under 2.5 goals.

Libertad doesn’t have a great recent record in the Copa Sudamericana, as they have lost five of their previous eight games in the competition. Their recent matches in the competition have been relatively low-scoring, with under 2.5 goals scored in five of their last eight games.

However, their recent away record in the competition is also a mixed one, as they have won three and lost two of their last five matches. They have struggled defensively on their travels, conceding at least two goals in three of their previous four games.

There wasn’t much difference in quality in the first leg, and I expect this game to be another low-scoring encounter, so the bet I am backing is under 2.5 goals scored.