- Olimpia Asuncion have won their last two home matches without conceding
- Barracas Central have won 2, drawn 2 and lost 1 of their last 5 in all competitions
- Olimpia Asuncion have won 4 and lost 1 of their last 5 matches
Olimpia Asuncion - the reigning continental force
Olimpia Asuncion have started their Copa Sudamericana Group G campaign with a bang, taking 3 points from their opening match away to Chilean side Audax Italiano Santiago with a convincing 2-0 victory.
Pablo Andres Sanchez’s team have been in excellent form lately, winning 4 and losing 1 of their last 5 in all competitions. Sanchez is a creative and flexible manager with a consistent tactical philosophy that is possession-based, but not possession-dependent. Our Olimpia Asuncion vs Barracas Central prediction highlights how Olimpia control the ball well, play at a pace of their choosing and have the quality to pick teams apart, particularly through central overloads and wide overloading, however, they are also patient and can build up well.
Sanchez’s methods have seen his Olimpia side remain sharp in both domestic and continental competition, with a 3-0 home victory over Nacional Asuncion in the Primera Division following the Audax Italiano win.
When considering the Olimpia Asuncion vs Barracas Central preview, Juan Alfaro is Olimpia’s main goal threat in this group, having scored in Olimpia’s opening group match, whilst creative midfielder Bernardo Benitez has already picked up 2 assists in their Copa Sudamericana Group G opener.
Barracas Central - the new boys on the block
Barracas Central are unbeaten in their last 2 away matches, winning 1 and drawing 1, sitting 2nd in Group G with 1 point. This draw came in their debut Copa Sudamericana match at home to Vasco da Gama RJ, a game which they held to a 0-0 draw.
However, Ruben Dario Insua’s side had previously suffered a disappointing 1-2 loss at home to Sarmiento in the Liga Profesional - Apertura, suggesting that the newbies may still need a little time to adjust to the continental stage.
The Olimpia Asuncion vs Barracas Central prediction should factor in that Insua is a pragmatic and results-driven manager, who likes his team to play a direct 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1, prioritising quick transitions, counter-attacking at pace, and aggressive pressing. Barracas Central will try to use the wide areas and long ball to trouble Olimpia on Thursday, where they will need to be at their best to avoid conceding goals.
Olimpia Asuncion should edge it
I think Olimpia Asuncion should come out on top on Thursday, as they have more continental pedigree than Barracas Central, are in much better form, and are at home. According to this Olimpia Asuncion vs Barracas Central betting tips, this should be a low-scoring affair, as both teams are solid and defensively-disciplined and don’t take too many risks. Olimpia have the better quality, so the odds on a home win are a little short at 1.64, but I’m going for Under 2.5 goals at 1.62 and Both Teams to Score - No at 1.65.
