Juventud vs Guarani Prediction & Betting Tips (19 February)

Juventud de Las Piedras welcome Guaraní in a Copa Libertadores qualifying tie that already feels like a major early-season test for both clubs. The Uruguayans arrive with confidence after their dramatic progression against Universidad Católica del Ecuador, where they survived a 4-4 aggregate and advanced on penalties earlier in February 2026. That two-legged thriller, capped by a 3-4 away victory, has put Juventud back on the continental map and generated plenty of local buzz. At Parque Artigas, supporters are expecting the team that won 1-0 away to Liverpool Montevideo and drew 1-1 with Progreso to show the same resilience against a more seasoned Paraguayan opponent.

Guaraní, meanwhile, come into this Libertadores campaign with a reputation for being awkward opponents in knockout football and with some eye-catching recent results in domestic competition. Their attacking potential was on full display in a 4-0 home win over Rubio Ñu, while a 3-3 draw away to Libertad underlined both their offensive ambition and occasional defensive looseness. A gritty 0-0 stalemate at Sportivo Trinidense and a narrow 2-1 home victory over Luqueño show they can manage different game states when needed. The club’s focus over the past couple of months has clearly been on sharpening their form in time for this qualifying phase.

From a tactical perspective, Juventud’s recent run suggests they are comfortable in tight, low-scoring encounters, even if a 0-1 home defeat to Cerro Largo and another 0-1 loss to Universidad Católica exposed how fragile they can be when chasing a game. Their success against Católica in the previous Libertadores round owed much to disciplined defending, quick transitions, and the ability to stay composed in high-pressure moments. Guaraní, by contrast, often look more expansive, and their recent 2-1 defeat away to Olimpia highlighted the risks they take when pushing numbers forward. This contrast in styles sets up a fascinating battle over two legs, with momentum likely to swing sharply depending on who scores first.

When weighing up the latest form lines and the news emerging from both camps in February 2026, Guaraní appear slightly better balanced across all lines, with more consistent scoring options and a deeper bench for late-game adjustments. Juventud’s path through the previous round was thrilling but also physically and emotionally draining, and any defensive lapses here are likely to be punished more ruthlessly. Factoring in Guaraní’s recent ability to manage tight contests and their experience in continental qualifiers, the most plausible outcome for this clash looks like a controlled victory for the Paraguayans, with a correct score prediction of