Bella Vista - Defensor Sporting

Uruguay Primera Division, Clausura

Big match for Defensor Sporting, as they are defending the lead in both the Clausura and the Anual table, with the end of the season rapidly aproaching. And even though on paper they have an easy schedule, things are not that easy. A match against Bella Vista always looks easy at first sight, since they are rock bottom in the Clausura, with a 20 point difference between themselves and Defensor Sporting. They also have a bad run of 5 consecutive defeats, and they are seriously being haunted by relegation, as they are 3 points down the relegation area. So if they want to have any chances of survival, they have to dig deep. And they have a bit of luck for this game, as Defensor will be missing a couple of key players. Giorgian De Arrascaeta (11/2) is one of their best players, and he will be unavailable after being injured with the U20 national team. He will join midfielder Nicolas Olivera (8/3) on the injury list, as well as midfielder Diego Laxalt (5/1) and Leonardo Pais (3/0), both of them starting the game on the bench. That means that Defensor will be missing two key players, and since they don't have a very deep squad, this could pose some problems. They are also less than impressive when playing away from home, so this line just seems a bit out of place. GL!

Bella Vista (+1 AH) @ 2.08, 3/10
Result: 0-0, WON

Danubio - Bella Vista

Uruguay Primera Division, Apertura

Last round also in Uruguay, and here we should see a lot of emotions, as 3 teams are fighting for the title. Penarol is the current leader, but since they have already finished their matches in the Apertura, now they just have to wait and pray. Nacional don't depend on anybody but themselves, and with a win tonight they will be the champions, but Liverpool has the ability to ruin their party. That leaves only Danubio. They need to win and to hope for a Nacional-slump, so I still give them some pretty nice chances to finish this tournament on the first place. Their solid home form (undefeated) plays in their favor, and knowing that first of all they need to win in order to hope for something, they should go on the pitch at full strength and with high determination, especially since they are playing against the last placed team in the league. Even if Nacional takes an early lead, Danubio shouldn't throw their arms in surrender, as they also have the aggregate table to think about, and if they want to play an international tournament in 2012 they need to make as much points as possible. The handicap can be a bit risky, but since Danubio's win shouldn't be under question, they are fully capable of taking at least a 2-0 win. GL!

Danubio (-1.25 AH) @ 1.93, 3/10

Result: 4-1, WON

Bella Vista - Nacional

Uruguay Primera Division, Apertura

Well, once again I'm going for the over in one of Nacional's matches. They have shown very good attacking skills this season, especially last round, when they trashed Cerro Largo 4-0. Even in the Copa Sudamericana defeat to U de Chile, they managed to get to the opponents are quite often, including missing a couple of clear-cut chances. And since that match was played only for 48 minutes, the players shouldn't be too tired, and that is one of the reasons why Gallardo will most likely repeat the same line-up that played against Cerro Largo and U de Chile, meaning the same formation with 3 attackers: Viudez, Boghossian and Porto, with Recoba also expected to enter in the second half. On the other side, we'll have a Bella Vista team that didn't manage to get a single point so far, losing all of their 6 matches, and having the worst defense in the league. Should be an easy prey for Nacional's best attack of the league. Gallardo's team has to bounce back from their Sudamericana elimination, in order to ease the pressure on the coach, and Bella Vista looks like the right team to do that. This should go as an easy win for Nacional, but since I hate backing the away team with a -1 handicap, I'll choose the over, because Nacional's defense is never to be trusted. GL!

over 2.75 @ 2.04, 4/10

Result: 1-0, LOST