Palmeiras vs Cerro PortenoPrediction, probable lineups, recent form & season stats

Palmeiras and Cerro Porteno meet again in the Libertadores round of 16 after already facing each other in the group stage. The first leg is at the Nubank Parque, with the Brazilians arriving as Brasileirao leaders: 47 points from 21 rounds, 38 goals scored and 16 conceded, the league's best attack and best defence. It is their strongest 21-round campaign ever in the current league format. The group stage says something else In Group F, Cerro Porteno finished above Palmeiras: 13 points to 11. The Paraguayans drew 1-1 at home and then won 1-0 in Sao Paulo on 20 May, Vegetti scoring on 48 minutes. That win ended a run of six straight Palmeiras victories in the head-to-head. But the present says the opposite Cerro Porteno are enduring a difficult Clausura: three defeats in the opening four rounds, 3 points and just 5 goals scored. Palmeiras, for their part, are without Gustavo Gomez, Khellven, Paulinho and Bruno Fuchs, who had appendicitis surgery, but welcome Barboza back and carry a deep squad. The verdict: home advantage and condition lean Brazilian The pick asks for a Palmeiras win. League form, squad depth and the home crowd support it, with the heavy caveat of the May precedent, when Cerro won on this very ground. I read it around 62%, in line with the confidence of 6. My take: Palmeiras ahead, without the comfort the table would suggest.