Peñarol Aim for Round of 16 with Must-Win Match Against Olimpia Behind Closed Doors

Peñarol are set for a decisive Copa Libertadores showdown this Wednesday as they host Olimpia of Paraguay at 7:00 p.m. local time at the Estadio Campeón del Siglo. The Uruguayan giants arrive in strong form, riding an eight-game unbeaten streak in all competitions — seven wins and a draw, the latter coming against Olimpia in Asunción.

In Group H, Peñarol and Vélez Sarsfield sit joint top with seven points and a +4 goal difference. San Antonio Bulo Bulo follow closely with six points, while Olimpia are last with two and a -5 differential. A win would put Peñarol within touching distance of the Round of 16, with a home match against Vélez still to come.

Wednesday's match will be played behind closed doors due to a carryover sanction from last year’s competition. Coach Diego Aguirre is expected to repeat the same lineup that triumphed at altitude in Cochabamba: De Amores; Milans, Herrera, Coelho, Olivera; Pérez, Sosa, Umpiérrez; Fernández, Báez, and Silvera. Pérez, on two yellow cards, would miss the Vélez match with another booking.

Olimpia, needing a result to stay alive, will likely line up with: Olveira; Rojas, Alfonzo, L. López, Zabala; Redes, Domínguez, Franco, Leguizamón; Abreu and Benedetto.

The match will be officiated by Colombian referee Wilmar Roldán, with a full Colombian VAR team. Meanwhile, Vélez and San Antonio Bulo Bulo will play simultaneously in Buenos Aires, making for a dramatic evening in Group H.