Penarol vs. Velez Sarsfield: Copa Libertadores Match Preview, Odds & Prediction

Thursday night's Copa Libertadores match in Montevideo will pit top-seeded Velez Sarsfield against second-placed Penarol, both of whom have advanced to the round of 16.

Both clubs have already secured their spot in the round of 16; thus, the only thing left to play for at Estadio Campeon del Siglo is the group title.

Previous Matches and Head-to-head

Penarol secured a 3-2 victory against Olimpia of Paraguay to secure a historic perfect home record in the Copa Libertadores. The Uruguayan giants will join Velez Sarsfield in the next round of the tournament, having won five times before. Group H's runner-up, Penarol, is tied with Velez on 10 points but behind on goal differential. Velez has won no less than 18 of their last 21 Libertadores home matches since May 2017, extending their unbeaten run to 21 rounds.

In the rematch, Velez scored twice in the last minutes to win 2-1 at El Fortin. The Argentinian team had a 4-1 advantage against Penarol going into Thursday's matchup. Velez has scored three goals in their previous match and more than two goals per game on route to securing a spot in the round of 16.

With a one-round qualifying victory against Bolivian outsiders San Antonio Bulo Bulo, the Buenos Aires club joined River Plate and Palmeiras in qualifying. However, Guillermo Barros Schelotto's squad only managed four victories out of sixteen matches in the primary stage of Argentina's Primera Division, finishing thirteenth. The defending national champions aim to gain momentum by winning Group H before facing Estudiantes in the Supercopa Internacional shortly after their match against Penarol.

Penarol x Velez Sarsfield Team News

Penarol's coach, Diego Aguirre, has announced that several players will not participate in the upcoming match against Velez. Nahuel Herrera is questionable due to a recent muscular issue, while Camilo Mayada has been benched due to his impending departure.

However, young centre-back Juan Rodriguez could return in time for the bench, and Leo Fernandez is fit to feature up front. Fernandez leads this year's Libertadores assist rankings with four goals and is one of only four players to set up at least 10 goals in the tournament this decade. 

Maher Carrizo is currently one goal short of leading the league in scoring with four for the season. The visitors also have a long absence list, including defender Valentin Gomez, Parma target Christian Ordonez, Brazilian Romero, Emanuel Mammana, and Michael Santos. Right-back Agustin Lagos has been cleared to play if required.

Our Predictions

Full-time draw @ 3.05 on Sky247.ng

Neither side will be at peak intensity for what is effectively a dead rubber so that a low-scoring draw could be on the cards.

Penarol boast a long loss-free streak as hosts in the Libertadores, so they will be keen to protect it; Velez, though, should do just enough to secure the top spot.

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