Defensor Sporting v Olimpia

No it's competitive

Stolen from ian @ footytipster

Today's featured game is the Copa Sudamericana game in Uruguay between Defensor Sporting. Hosts Defensor Sporting are one of the biggest clubs in Uruguay and thus the club expects success, although they've undoubtedly been overshadowed domestically in recent years by rivals Penarol and Club Nacional de Montevideo respectively. Olimpia Asuncion are a decent side in Paraguay but little more than that nowdays despite being the oldest club in Paraguay with a host of clubs that are better than they are so their presence in this competition is a little unwelcome currently, without wanting to be harsh on them.

Defensor Sporting would probably be the first to admit that they've not won their domestic competition often enough but the ability is rarely lacking. Famed for having one of the best academies in Uruguay, Defensor Sporting have consistently produced brilliant young talent in the vein of Diego Perez, Sebastian Abreu, Martin Caceres, and Dario Silva. For that reason, the spirit of Defensor Sporting is always strong so they're a side not to underestimate. Despite winning the Primera Division back in 2008, they've failed to impress me consistently since then with their most recent campaign relying far too heavily on Risso in attack and De Souza in midfield. Both are very good players but the likes of experienced striker Taborda needs to contribute more to Defensor's overall play, as does arising young talent Luna in attack. The experience of Fleurquin in central midfield is paramount to Defensor's success against anyone and they'll need that today as they've been without continental football for two years now. However, they do boast a strong record in continental football at home, as do most of the big Uruguayan clubs for reasons I've never been able to fathom. Most South American sides have altitude advantage but that simply isn't the case in a fairly low-lying Uruguay. Consider that Defensor have won four out of their last six home games in continental competition with their only defeat coming here against a very good River Plate back in 2008. In that time, Defensor have beaten Paraguayan sides three times - Libertad Asuncion twice and Tacuary - so they know what they're up against today. Defensor always bring goals to their games at home and that will be pivotal to their success tonight as Olimpia don't defend well so the hosts really need to make it count in the first leg. I have my concerns about them not having played a competitive game of football since May but their talent is somewhat undeniable.

Visitors Olimpia Asuncion are an old club that used to have big traditions but they're just not a genuine threat anymore. They change coaches so often nowadays that the magic of Olimpia Asuncion is no longer there. Recent years has seen them overshadowed by Cerro Porteno, Nacional Asunion, Libertad Asunion, and even Guarani Asuncion with Olimpia Asunion falling further down the pecking order each year. Olimpia Asuncion emphasised that point massively during their last domestic game which saw them utterly destroyed 4-1 at home by Rubio Nu. Much like their hosts tonight, Olimpia Asuncion haven't featured in continental competition since 2008 but their record is distinctly worse with two away games played and two games lost, losing in Chile 4-0 against giants Universidad Catolica and losing 1-0 in Bolivia against Blooming La Paz. Paraguayan sides never travel well because they're generally not as potent as their South American neighbours are and Olimpia are no exception to that ruling. The only advantage that I'll give to Olimpia Asuncion for this game is that they've got match practice with their domestic campaign already three games in but in terms of actual ability, I think Olimpia are in the shallow end of the pool here and it really ought to show by the final whistle.

Although this game should be reasonably close because of a lack of competitive game practice for the hosts, I still think that the odds on the home win are a little generous. Defensor are a big side with big traditions and although their domestic form in recent years hasn't been great, they remain a very capable side with plenty of experience to attack their opponents with. Olimpia's only weapon is former River Plate attacker Nelson Cuevas, who basically poses a great threat to most South American opponents at all times but Olimpia rarely pose any kind of threat without him so if Defensor nullify him then this should be game, set, and match for Defensor. Either way, the home win looks good enough to take here with home advantage being something that Defensor always utilise well and with odds a little more generous than it should be.

Verdict: Defensor Sporting to win at evens.

Its the equivalent of the uefa cup in south america. Home win.

Yes, usually for teams that finish below the allocated places giving to teams for the copa libertadores.

Low goals for me.
0-0 Under 1.5 and under 2.5 :)

May trade depending how game plays out

Home team have had 33 yellow cards in their last 4 games (both teams)!!! Wow.

Risso also a huge player for the home side.  Would want to ensure he is playing before backing them.

Home team fast out of the blocks and I expect them to score first.

Good Luck all.

over 2.5 & over 11 corners

blind punt on 7+ for bantz

waiting to get matched

Lay of Olimpia @ 3.4

Back of 2-0 at HT @ 15.0

Thinking against laying them, there's noone in the crowd?

anyone know the colour of the home team?

cheers

nice lack of organsation here..

both teams coming out at different times, no crowd at all...

looks like no-one cares about this match

Home team in purple

this will be worse to watch than libertad v lanus

fiorentina B team

are olimpia in white?

cheers

£25 on the home win. They look up for it

cannon see goaless draw either, over 1,5 seems safe

where is crowd noise coming from? is it pre recorded from a previous match?