In the early hours of Thursday, Club Guarani hosts Botafogo at the Estadio Defensores del Chaco in the last 16 second leg of the Copa Sudamericana. The visitors hold a 2-1 lead from the first leg of the tie.
Club Guarani form guideThe Paraguayan outfit goes into this clash on the back of just one win in their previous five matches in all competitions, having suffered three defeats in the run. A leaky defence is one of the main reasons for the poor form lately, as they have conceded at least two goals in each of those recent defeats.
Club Guarani’s recent form has been decent in the Copa Sudamericana, as the first-leg defeat ended a five-game unbeaten run in the competition for the home side. They have also won three of their last four home games in the competition.
Botafogo form guideThe Serie A league leaders head to Paraguay on the back of a 14-game unbeaten run in all competitions. The run includes winning six of their last nine matches and scoring at least two goals in seven of their previous nine outings.
The visitors are unbeaten in their last nine matches in the Copa Sudamericana, although three of their previous five matches in the competition have produced draws. Their recent games in the competition have been low-scoring, with under 2.5 goals scored in four of their last five matches.
Botafogo are unbeaten in their last four away games in the Copa Sudamericana, having also scored at least two goals in three of their previous four matches in the competition.
What am I backing?Club Guarani need a change in fortunes, as they are on a poor recent run of form, while Botafogo has been difficult to beat of late. I am backing the visitors to record another victory in this clash.
