Bolivar host Cerro Porteno in round five of the Copa Libertadores game on Wednesday at Estadio Hernando Siles.

With qualification from Group C all but assured, the home side seek a top-place finish against a side still battling for third place in the standings.

Match preview

A last-gasp Ronnie Fernandez goal against Barcelona SC on May 24 settled a tight game for Bolivar that saw them rise to the top of the standings in the group.

Benat San Jose's men were frustrated in the encounter and often resorted to shots from distance, as they could not create quality chances consistently against the Ecuadorian outfit.

The triumph put them on nine points with Palmeiras atop Group C, with both sides having opened a six-point gap on Barcelona and Cerro Porteno.

With the Bolivian side to face the Brazilian outfit in the group's final game, matching the latter's result means San Jose's men go into that potential decider level on points with the side in second.

Having won both home games in this section, scoring four and conceding once, Bolivar are favourites against the bottom side.

As for Cerro Porteno, ending first or second may be a long shot, even if it is not out of reach for the Paraguayan club.

Facundo Sava's men have not claimed maximum points since their round one victory over Barcelona, with little success recorded in the competition since that 2-1 triumph.

Only one more goal has been scored since, and the last two defeats in the group stage have seen the bottom club concede seven times without finding the back of the net.

Having conceded 10 times in four games, four more than Barcelona, Sava must fix the team's soft underbelly if they are to avoid exiting the competition.

At best, the People's Team make it out of the group, but the more realistic target would be finishing third and dropping to the Copa Sudamericana, an achievable objective – they have the same points (three) as Barcelona SC.

Team News

Diego Bejarano went off injured in Bolivar's draw at Real Tomayapo on Saturday, and the defender could be replaced in San Jose's team by Jesus Sagredo.

Fernandez (two) is the club's top-scoring forward in the competition, making him the home side's potent weapon this week.

Gabriel Baez is suspended for Cerro Porteno after receiving a straight red in the 3-0 loss against Palmeiras in round four.

Robert Morales and Galeano netted as the Paraguayan outfit returned to winning ways after a five-game run in all competitions without success, and both attackers could play significant roles if Sava's men are to shock their hosts.

Bolivar possible starting lineup:
Lampe; Sagredo, Bentaberry, Ferreyra; Chavaz, Villamil, Justiniano, Fernandez; Hervias, Fernandez, Uzeda

Cerro Porteno possible starting lineup:
Jean; Espinola, Alvarez, Da Motta, Rivas; Galeano, Viera, Lucena, Carrizo; Morales, Churin

We say: Bolivar 2-1 Cerro Porteno

Having claimed maximum points against the stronger sides in Group C, Bolivar should be confident of another victory against struggling Cerro Porteno to make it three wins from three at Estadio Hernando Siles.


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