Cerro Porteño vs Palmeiras – News and Probable Lineups

Cerro Porteno will host Palmeiras at the Ueno La Nueva Olla Stadium on Thursday evening for an important Copa Libertadores Group F fixture, with both teams striving to enhance their standings as the group stage nears its halfway point.

After two rounds, the home side is eager to gain momentum following a mixed start to their international campaign, while the visitors come in as group leaders and one of the tournament’s favorites, looking to take a significant step towards qualification.

Match overview

Cerro Porteno approaches this match with confidence from their solid domestic performance, currently sitting atop the Paraguayan Apertura standings with 33 points from 16 games, achieving 10 wins, three draws, and only three losses this season.

Nevertheless, this level of consistency has yet to fully reflect in the Copa Libertadores, where Ariel Holan’s team has managed to secure three points from their first two matches—losing 1-0 to Sporting Cristal before bouncing back with a narrow 1-0 win against Junior Barranquilla.

While their home form remains a significant advantage, historical challenges in this tournament—especially against Brazilian teams—continue to be a worry, particularly given their record against Palmeiras.

Indeed, Cerro Porteno has only managed to win two of their 17 previous encounters with the Brazilian giants, suffering 11 defeats and four draws, and they have lost all of their last five meetings, conceding 14 goals and managing to score just once in that stretch.

Despite these hurdles, the Paraguayan side will rely on their attacking options, with Cecilio Dominguez and Juan Manuel Iturbe providing speed and creativity during transitions, as Ariel Holan hopes for a disciplined and resilient display in front of an enthusiastic home crowd.

In contrast, Palmeiras arrives in outstanding form and brimming with confidence, currently leading Group F with four points, and also topping the Brazilian Serie A standings with 32 points from 13 games, having secured a 1-0 victory over Bragantino in their most recent match.

Abel Ferreira’s squad has been one of the most dependable teams in South America in recent times, and their 2026 campaign has followed a similar trajectory, having already clinched the Campeonato Paulista title and extended their unbeaten league run to eight matches.

In the Libertadores, Palmeiras continues to showcase their quality, boasting an impressive record under Abel Ferreira, which includes an 88% success rate in the group stage and a remarkable nine-match undefeated streak away from home in the competition.

However, Palmeiras has faced a few injury concerns, particularly in their defensive line, and playing in Asuncion can be challenging, meaning they must be at their best to maintain dominance in the group.

Team News

Cerro Porteno is expected to have a full squad available, with Ariel Holan likely preparing a robust lineup for this pivotal match.

Cecilio Dominguez continues to be the primary attacking threat, supported by Juan Manuel Iturbe and Matias Klimowicz, while Jorge Morel and Wilder Viera are set to provide stability in midfield.

On the other hand, Palmeiras is contending with numerous absences, as Joaquin Piquerez, Vitor Roque, Paulinho, and Jefte are all unavailable due to injuries, which limits their options, particularly at left-back.

Murilo Cerqueira returns from suspension and is anticipated to slot back into the central defense alongside Gustavo Gomez, while Andreas Pereira will continue to direct the play in midfield, with Jose Manuel Lopez spearheading the attack.

Cerro Porteno probable starting XI:

Fernandez; Velazquez, Perez, Quintana, Chaparro; Dominguez, Morel, Viera; Klimowicz, Iturbe, Vegetti

Palmeiras probable starting XI:

Miguel; Giay, Gomez, Murilo, Arthur; Freitas, Pereira, Allan; Sosa, Arias, Lopez

Playing at home, Cerro Porteno will be competitive and is likely to create scoring opportunities, especially through their speed during transitions, but their historical difficulties against Palmeiras cannot be overlooked.

With a deeper squad, greater consistency, and more experience at this level, Palmeiras seems well-prepared to edge a tightly contested match and take a significant stride towards qualification.