Preview: Fluminense vs. Cerro Porteno - prediction, team news, lineups

Fluminense take on Cerro Porteno in the second leg of their Copa Libertadores last-16 meeting on Tuesday, with the visitors looking to overturn a 2-0 deficit.

The Brazilians were clinical in Paraguay during the first leg a few weeks ago, and will fancy their chances of progressing to the quarter-finals as they aim to win the Copa Libertadores for the first time in the club's history.

Match preview

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Fluminense reached the Copa Libertadores final in 2008, agonisingly losing to Ecuadorian outfit LDU Quito on penalties after the two sides could not be separated after two legs and extra-time.

Fluzao will be desperate to go one better than that 13 years later, with manager Roger Machado keen to avoid any complacency within his ranks as they look to get the job done against Cerro Porteno on Tuesday.

Nene and Egidio's second-half strikes have provided Machado's side with a fantastic platform heading into Tuesday's second leg - which will take place at the Maracana - despite the Paraguayans dominating possession throughout the 90 minutes.

Machado will be hoping his side can control the game more effectively with home advantage on their side - albeit in front of a limited capacity - while putting their recent league defeats to Gremio and Palmeiras towards the back of their minds.

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Cerro Porteno, meanwhile, have never gone past the semi-finals in any of their 38 appearances in the Copa Libertadores; even reaching that stage looks like an uphill task after their defeat in the first leg.

Unlike their forthcoming opponents in Brazil, though, the Paraguay domestic season is currently on a summer break, having ended in May.

After winning the 2020 edition, El Ciclon could only finish fourth last time around, ending up a sizable 10 points behind eventual champions Libertad considering that only 18 matches were played across the entire campaign.

Francisco Arce's side have not had much luck against Brazilian opposition during this year's competition, having lost both of their matches to Atletico Mineiro in the group stage without scoring a goal, just like the first leg against Fluminense.

That will need to change at the Maracana on Tuesday, otherwise they will be crashing out of the competition and waiting for their domestic season to resume.

Team News

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Fluminense will remain without Hudson due to his ACL injury, with Caio Paulista also expected to miss Tuesday's second leg with a thigh problem.

Nino is unavailable due to competing for Brazil Under-23s at the Olympic Games, while Raul Bobadilla is doubtful due to a calf issue.

Cerro Porteno, meanwhile, should have a full squad available to them given their lack of games recently.

Mathias Villasanti and Alexis Duarte's suspensions apply to domestic action only, so they will be considered for selection by Arce.

Fluminense possible starting lineup:
Marcos; Xavier, Claro, Manoel, Egidio; Yago, Andre; Hernandez, Nene, Teixeira; Wellington

Cerro Porteno possible starting lineup:
Jean; Espinola, Duarte, Delvalle, Rodriguez; Villasanti, Carrascal; Morales, Aquino, Goncalves; Boselli

We say: Fluminense 2-0 Cerro Porteno

We expect a routine win for Fluminense, who should have enough to win while keeping a clean sheet.

Cerro Porteno have little choice but to attack the game from the outset, which could leave defensive gaps for the Brazilians to exploit.