Sports Mole previews Thursday’s Copa Libertadores clash between Olimpia and San Antonio Bulo Bulo, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Mathematically out of the race for a knockout berth in the Copa Libertadores, Olimpia and San Antonio Bulo Bulo meet for the final round of the group stage, looking to bow out with some pride.
The Paraguayan outfit find themselves bottom of Group H with just two points from five matches, while the visitors occupy third place with six points.
Match preview
© Imago
A predictable circle, Olimpia have maintained their pattern of alternating between advancing to the knockouts and falling at the group stage — a sequence that has repeated across their last six appearances in the Copa Libertadores.
Having missed out on the competition in 2023-24, the Paraguayans’ fortunes this season have not improved much, beginning with two heavy defeats in the opening matches where they conceded seven and scored only two.
The following two continental outings produced two draws before Olimpia’s latest defeat at Penarol, a 3-2 loss which extinguished any remaining hopes of progressing even into the Copa Sudamericana knockout round playoffs.
With only pride to play for, the three-time Copa Libertadores champions seek their first victory in this campaign but face a daunting task, having now gone six matches without a win across all competitions (D4, L2).
The latest was a 1-1 draw against local rivals Nacional Asuncion in the league, which leaves Fabian Bustos‘s side fourth in the Apertura standings.
Recent results at home have offered little encouragement, with Olimpia winning only once in their last seven games at their own ground across all competitions, drawing three and losing three, while failing to find the net in five of those encounters.
What began as an encouraging debut continental campaign for San Antonio has since turned into a harsh awakening after a promising start that saw two wins in their first three matches.
The Bolivians kicked off with a remarkable 3-2 victory over Olimpia, and despite a 2-0 loss at Penarol, they recovered to claim a 2-1 triumph against Velez Sarsfield.
However, successive 3-0 defeats to the Uruguayans and Argentines in the return legs have confirmed the debutants’ third-place finish and relegation to the Copa Sudamericana knockout round playoffs.
Despite this, the Saints will aim to end their Libertadores campaign on a high, looking to build some momentum, especially after failing to win in their last five matches across all competitions, managing only a single draw.
Joaquin Monasterio‘s side come into this clash fresh from a heavy 5-2 defeat to Always Ready in the league, marking their fourth game in five outings in which they have conceded three or more goals, totalling 21 shipped in that sequence while scoring just seven.
Olimpia Copa Libertadores form:
Olimpia form (all competitions):
San Antonio Bulo Bulo Copa Libertadores form:
San Antonio Bulo Bulo form (all competitions):
Team News
© Imago
Olimpia have had a player sent off in each of their last two outings, with Marcos Gomez shown a red card in the most recent, although that dismissal occurred in domestic action and is therefore not expected to impact his availability for this clash.
An injury to Luis Abreu in that same fixture may prompt a reshuffle in attack, opening the door for Alex Franco — who came off the bench to replace him — to start centrally, with Rodny Redes likely pushed wider to operate in a front three alongside Ivan Leguizamon and Dario Benedetto.
The visitors also endured their own setback last time out, with Julio Herrera forced off early through injury, leaving question marks over his fitness for this decisive trip.
However, Braian Salvareschi is confirmed to miss out after his red card against Velez in the previous round, meaning he will be unavailable as he serves a suspension.
Olimpia possible starting lineup:
Olveira; Zabala, Lopez, Alphonso, Rojas; Dominguez, Franco, Gomez; Redes, Leguizamon, Benedetto
San Antonio Bulo Bulo possible starting lineup:
Saracho; Saucedo, Barboza, Gutierrez, Arce; Viveros, Suarez, Martinez, Otazu; Blanco, Aguilar
We say: Olimpia 2-1 San Antonio Bulo Bulo
San Antonio’s dramatic 3-2 victory remains the only previous meeting between these sides, but despite that triumph, the Bolivians are yet to find the net away from home in the competition, just as Olimpia have failed to register on their own patch.
Nevertheless, the narrative feels ripe for a twist, with both teams desperate to bow out with something to show for their efforts — and it is the hosts who may just edge this one, fuelled by the energy of their own crowd.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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