Defensor Sporting
- The most recent matchup, played just a fortnight ago, finished 1-1 at Penarol’s ground but Penarol have won the previous four head-to-heads.
- Roman Cuello’s side have been in mixed form recently, drawing 1-1 away at Penarol, and then losing 1-2 to Juventud de las Piedras at home.
- Cuello sets his team up in a compact block, is disciplined in the defensive structure and then looks to counter attack or get on the end of set pieces if they can absorb the pressure.
- Defensor Sporting have won two of their last three home matches and lost just one of their previous seven in the Apertura at the Estadio Luis Franzini, so this game is likely to be a close and cagey affair.
Penarol Montevideo
- Penarol Montevideo (PEM) have won one, drawn two and lost two of their last five in all competitions (W1 D2 L2).
- Penarol’s pressing game is more high-tempo and Aguirre’s men deploy a flexible 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 system, that looks to use the width of the pitch and press with a high tempo to force opponents into mistakes and create counter attacking chances.
- Aguirre has slightly tweaked Penarol’s system recently, making his pressing triggers a little higher up the pitch and his team a bit more attacking, particularly in the big games.
- The Uruguayans have one win, one draw and two defeats from their last four away matches, and those results included a 1-1 draw at Platense in the Copa Libertadores and a 3-2 win at Cerro Largo in the league.
Head-to-Head
- Penarol have won four of the last five head-to-head meetings with the ‘Violetas’ (D1).
- The most recent matchup, played just a fortnight ago, finished 1-1 at Penarol’s ground but Penarol have won the previous four head-to-heads.
Key Players
- Aguirre’s side have the better away performance and recent record against the Violetas, while Leandro Umpierrez’s purple patch of three goals in the last five is a boost.
- Penarol have Matias Arezo on six from 13 to counter and his contribution could decide the game in their favour on Sunday.
Betting Insights
- Both teams are inconsistent and the under 2.5 goals market is a decent bet at 1.62, but Penarol will probably get the result here.
- The odds for this game, have Penarol as 2.25 favourites, Defensor Sporting 3.24 and the draw at 3.15, make the visitors the best bet.
Prediction
Penarol look the more likely victors given their recent record against the Violetas and their attacking options.
