The final day of Copa Sudamericana 2025 Group B brings a decisive meeting as Defensa y Justicia hosts Cerro Largo at the Estadio Norberto Tomaghello in Gobernador Julio A. Costa. The match kicks off at 03:30 CEST on 29 May 2025, with the stakes high for both sides as they seek to salvage their group campaign. With only one win and a combined eight goals between them in this phase, the contest promises both caution and desperation, especially given that neither side can advance without full points and outside results. Under coaches Tobías Kohan (DyJ) and Danielo Núñez (Cerro Largo), expect tactical nuances and perhaps calculated risks in pursuit of a final statement.
Among the players to watch, Defensa’s Gastón Togni is the most consistent attacking threat, having notched 2 goals in his last five matches; Cerro Largo’s Nicolas Bertochi, meanwhile, has shown an ability to link midfield with attack, offering rare creative moments in a team otherwise struggling for goals.
Notably, Defensa y Justicia’s discipline has been a hot topic: only 7 yellow cards in their last 5 games, compared to Cerro Largo’s 13 — illustrating differing approaches to control and intensity.
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Defensa y Justicia vs Cerro Largo predictions
My best bet: Defensa y Justicia to win and Under 2.5 total goals. While neither side has impressed offensively—combining for just six goals in their last ten group matches—Defensa’s home advantage, superior structure, and more reliable defensive discipline give them the edge. Cerro Largo’s attack has stagnated, mustering only three shots on target in their last couple of outings. Look for a patient Defensa y Justicia, whose ball retention (over 82% pass accuracy) should frustrate a Cerro side prone to fouls and poor positioning.
Both teams’ styles shape our prediction: Defensa y Justicia’s ball-first approach (2153 passes in last five), judicious use of tactical fouling, and willingness to build from the back will demand Cerro Largo chase for long periods—a role they have struggled with, as evidenced by 32 total fouls and 13 bookings in the same span. While Cerro Largo’s 4-2-3-1 looks to absorb and counter, their inefficiency in progressing out from their own half (just 490 total passes, 65% accuracy) figures to make opportunities for Defensa both inevitable and, at times, hard-earned.
Prop picks by me:
- ⚽Total Goals: Under 2.5
- 💥Both Teams To Score: No
- 🎯Total Corners: Under 9.5
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Defensa y Justicia vs Cerro Largo Most recent H2Hs
| Statistic | Defensa y Justicia | Cerro Largo |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 0 | 0 |
| Total shots | 9 | 6 |
| Free kicks | 14 | 9 |
| Corner kicks | 4 | 3 |
| Total fouls | 11 | 13 |
| Pass accuracy (%) | 83 | 72 |
| Interceptions | 7 | 7 |
| Offsides | 2 | 1 |
The only recent head-to-head finished as a goalless stalemate: a contest revealing as much about both teams’ attacking limitations as their defensive discipline. Defensa y Justicia held more possession and completed passes with greater accuracy, while Cerro Largo relied on physical midfield play and direct balls forward. Over the 90 minutes, neither team managed to breach the other’s low block, suggesting a closely-matched repeat may be in store.
🚨Read our full Defensa y Justicia vs Cerro Largo stats for more analysis.
Key Stats
- Defensa y Justicia have not won a single Copa Sudamericana group game this season despite averaging almost 20 shots per match.
- Cerro Largo have received 13 yellow cards in their last 5 games—double Defensa’s tally in the same span.
- Across the group, these teams are joint-lowest scorers, with just 3 goals each in five matches.
- Defensa y Justicia average a remarkably high 430 passes per game (Group B), compared to Cerro Largo’s 98.
- First half Under 1.5 has hit in 7 of these two sides’ combined 10 group matches.
Defensa y Justicia vs Cerro Largo score prediction: 1-0
Expect a tense affair, likely decided by a solitary goal. Defensa y Justicia’s home advantage, tidier passing, and slightly superior creativity (with Gastón Togni and Francisco González threatening the flanks) should ultimately edge a Cerro Largo side that struggles to create clear chances. Enrique Bologna’s reliability between the posts and disciplined buildup from the back will be pivotal to keep Cerro at bay.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Defensa y Justicia the favourite
- Moneyline Defensa y Justicia 1.40 | Cerro Largo 8.60
- Draw 4.40
- Over/Under Over 2.5 2.05 | Under 2.5 1.70
- BTTS (both teams to score) Yes 2.40 | No 1.55
The market heavily favours the hosts, and with good cause: Defensa y Justicia’s technical discipline and consistent shot generation make them likelier to find a breakthrough. Cerro Largo’s meagre odds reflect their offensive struggles and tendency to concede midfield control. Combined with a low goal line, the implied probabilities suggest both a tight encounter and a slight edge for defensive reliability.

Cerro Largo. Source: Official Website
Defensa y Justicia vs Cerro Largo Over/Under Analysis
- 4 out of last 5 Defensa y Justicia matches saw Under 2.5 goals.
- 3 of Cerro Largo’s last 5 also finished below three goals.
- Both teams combine for just six goals scored in their last ten group games.
- With only 1 red card total in these matches, expect discipline but little attacking chaos.
Defensa y Justicia Preview
Defensa y Justicia’s recent form has veered towards frustration: five matches without a win, punctuated by a pair of 1-1 draws in this Copa Sudamericana group. Tobías Kohan’s team remains defiant defensively but has struggled for cutting edge up front. Their last meeting—a 0-2 home loss to Newells Old Boys—revealed both their resilience in spells and their inability to withstand persistent pressing. Nevertheless, contributions from the midfield trio and the emergence of Gastón Togni on the left wing offer hope of greater attacking fluidity. DyJ’s disciplined 4-3-3 remains focused on possession, aiming to suffocate fragile opponents and carve out isolated shooting chances.
Defensa y Justicia possible starting eleven
- GK: Enrique Bologna
- DF: Alexis Soto, Emanuel Aguilera, Ezequiel Cannavo, Rafael Delgado
- MF: Kevin Gutiérrez, César Pérez, Lucas González
- FW: Gastón Togni, Abiel Alessio Osorio, Francisco González
Cerro Largo Preview
Cerro Largo’s campaign has been marked by inconsistency and defensive frailties: one win in their last six, with multiple matches where attacking patterns vanished against organized backlines. Their last outing, a narrow 2-3 defeat to Defensor Sporting, showcased flashes of forward movement—the influence of Nicolas Bertochi and the work rate of Facundo Bonifazi—but also the chronic overreliance on set pieces and a back four prone to bookings and positional lapses. Danielo Núñez’s switching between 4-2-3-1 and 4-4-2 shapes has done little to stem the tide, with defensive midfielders often bypassed in transition and only sporadic penetration from wide areas.
Cerro Largo possible starting eleven
- GK: Gino Santilli
- DF: Lucas Correa, Mario Garcia, Facundo Bonifazi, Mauro Brasil
- MF: Sebastian Assis, Nicolas Bertochi, Di Pippa, Facundo Parada Rocha
- FW: Facundo Peraza, Julián Contrera
Our prediction: Who Wins?
As the Tips.GG team, we foresee Defensa y Justicia prevailing in a low-scoring, nervy encounter. Their stronger pass combinations, home support, and defensive shape tip the scales despite recent scoring woes. Cerro Largo’s erratic discipline and blunt attack leave them with an outside chance, especially away from home. Our dedicated AI prediction engine gives Defensa y Justicia a 67 percent winning probability, with draw at 22 percent and Cerro Largo at 11 percent. Expect a game shaped by patience, midfield collisions, and one decisive moment.

Defensa y Justicia. Source: Official Website
How to watch Defensa y Justicia vs Cerro Largo
When? 29 May 2025
Kick-off time: 03:30 CEST
Where? Estadio Norberto Tomaghello, Gobernador Julio A. Costa
How to watch: Local broadcasters and major international streaming platforms (check tournament site for regional coverage).
Favorite: Defensa y Justicia
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