Copa Libertadores Betting: Cerro Porteno v Santos

Betfair Live Video / Michael / 01 June 2011 / Leave a Comment

Rumoured Chelsea target Neymar is among the stars at Santos' disposal

"Cerro Porteno have faced Neymar and co three times in this year’s competition without once triumphing."

Cerro Porteno have been the surprise package of the 2011 Copa Libertadores but as they enter the second leg of their semi-final against Brazilian giants Santos, the signs are that their heroic run is going to be halted with the final tantalisingly close.

The Paraguayan side are making their 33rd foray into the South American equivalent of the Champions League and have never before made it past the semi-finals, and it looks like the high-pressure round could be their undoing for the sixth time as Santos were 1-0 winners in the initial tie.

The way back is consequently a long one for the hosts of the decider, primarily because they have faced Neymar and co three times in this year's competition without once triumphing. They were 2-1 losers when welcoming the two-time champions to Asuncion in the group stage back in April, which is why they are [3.0] outsiders and the travellers are [2.56] favourites this time.

Cerro Porteno have won just one of their last ten games, while Santos have scored in nine of their last ten Copa Libertadores encounters. They therefore have to be fancied to net again and the underdogs simply don't have enough firepower to grab the goals required to progress if they do, having struck only three times in five knockout round matches.

They boast the tournament's top goal-getter in Roberto Nanni, however the Argentine striker has been collecting bookings rather than plaudits in his last seven appearances, which is why he was only afforded a place on the bench in the first leg. Nobody has stepped up to fill the void that his drought has created and for that reason, under 2.5 goals has to be considered the best bet at [1.74].

Another price of interest is the [3.45] on the draw, as Cerro Porteno haven't been beaten at the Estadio General Pablo Rojas since Santos last visited, with a staggering six of the intervening seven fixtures finishing level. This game is live for Betfair customers to watch on Betfair Live Video from 1.50am on Thursday morning.

Best Bet: Under 2.5 goals at [1.74]
Other Recommended Bet: The draw at [3.45]

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Watch the return of the Copa Libertadores

Betfair Live Video / Michael / 15 February 2011 / Leave a Comment

Juan Veron's Estudiantes are amongst the teams to look out for in this year's edition

Fluminense and Argentino Juniors contested a 2-2 draw last week but officially the group stage of South America's Champions League, the Copa Libertadores, gets underway this week and all 14 of the matches taking place are available for Betfair customers to watch courtesy of Betfair Live Video.

There are matches on overnight and in the evenings of Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for you to enjoy, with the holders Internacional kicking off their defence of the title at the home of Ecuadorian runners-up Emelec on Wednesday (well, midnight so technically Thursday!).

No Brazilian team since Sao Paulo in 1993 have managed to retain the trophy but Internacional may view opening up against the same side they started against last season as a good omen.

They were held 0-0 in the away tie on that occasion and Emelec have won nine in ten in front of their fans, so the upset looks overpriced is a reasonable possibility at [3.5], not least because three of the last four champions have lost their first away group game of the following campaign.

Another of the most high-profile fixtures taking place on matchday one comes at the same time as 2009 winners and Argentine Apertura victors Estudiantes, who count among their recognisable players Juan Sebastian Veron, host Brazilian Serie A runners-up Cruzeiro.

Between them the clubs have been crowned South America's finest on six occasions, with Estudiantes claiming four of those titles. They got as far as the quarter-finals in their defence last year and in that time managed three straight travelling clean sheets before falling to Internacional. That suggests that Cruzeiro should potentially be laid at [1.95], with under 2.5 goals likely at [1.87].

Among the continent's other big names that you can check out over the next few days are Santos, who visit Deportivo Tachira of Venezuela on Tuesday and 2008 surprise package LDU Quito of Ecuador, who travel to face Argentine debutants Godoy Cruz on Thursday night.

So what are you waiting for? Visit the Betfair Live Video site now!

South America's premier competition makes a comeback this week to coincide with the return of the Champions League and all 14 of the group matches taking place are available to watch on Betfair Live Video.

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