Racing Club vs Penarol Prediction: Tough fight is expected in Avellaneda

Racing Club vs Penarol: Prediction and odds on the Match on 20 August 2025

Тhe second leg of the Copa Libertadores round of 16 will be played Аt the Estadio Juan Domingo Peron in Avellaneda, between Racing Club and Penarol. Racing Club enters the match as the favorite at home, but with the obligation to make up for the deficit from the first leg, as Penarol won 1-0 in Montevideo last week, thanks to a late goal from David Terans. This is perhaps the most important moment in the season for both teams. Racing must attack and win by at least two goals to advance to the next stage of the competition, while Penarol will focus and rely on a solid defense and discipline to maintain their advantage. The match is expected to be tense, with a focus on tactical discipline, as the first leg showed that both teams have certain strengths but also weaknesses. Both teams have experience in continental competitions, but recently they haven’t been playing at the level of the past times, and the pressure for success is huge in both teams.

Racing Club: form and statistics

Racing Club enters this match with two consecutive defeats and only one win in their last five matches, in the Copa Argentina. In the Argentine Primera Division, they have 1 win, 1 draw, and 3 losses, which places them in a disastrous 14th place in the league. The recent 1-0 defeat against Penarol and then against Tigre in the league by 2-1 highlights their vulnerability in defense. However, in the Copa Libertadores in the group stage, Racing finished with 4 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss, scoring 14 goals and conceding only 3 goals in 6 matches. Tactically, the coach will focus on the offense to turn the score around, but the defense must be solid to not concede a counter-goal. They are also not convincing at home, in the last 5 matches at this ground, they have only 2 wins and 3 losses. However, this is the Copa Libertadores, and they will have the furious support of the stands.

Racing Club: Lineup

Gustavo Costas will probably set his team in 3-4-2-1 formation at the beggining, but I'm certain that it will change during the match, depending on the situation and the result.

🔖 Racing Club probable starting lineup (3-4-2-1)

Gabriel Arias (GK) - Nazareno Colombo, Franco Pardo, Agustín García Basso - Facundo Mura, Richard Sánchez, Bruno Zuculini, Ignacio Rodríguez - Elías Torres, Adrián Balboa - Adrian Martinez

⛔️ Out: Matías Zaracho

👤 Head coach: Gustavo Costas 

Penarol: form and statistics

Penarol, one of the most successful clubs in South America, are in excellent form. In the Uruguayan Primera Division, they have 2 wins and 1 loss. Last Saturday, they were defeated by Boston River, thus ending their 6-match unbeaten streak. In the Copa Libertadores group stage, they finished second in Group H, but had the same number of points as first-placed Velez. Penarol had 3 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss and scored 9 goals in 6 matches and conceded only 4. In the first match, Penarol had a slight dominance of possession, created more chances, and won with a late goal against Terans, showing tactical maturity, but they cannot be satisfied with the efficiency in attacks and the chances created. Penarol will certainly play defensively in Buenos Aires, focusing on counterattacks, which have proven to be an effective weapon for them in many Copa Libertadores matches this season.

Penarol: Probable Lineup

Diego Aguirre often play in 4-4-2 formation in Copa Libertadores, but I think that in this match it can be more like 4-5-1 with the focus on the defense and counterattacks, forcing the opponent to make some mistake.

🔖 Penarol probable starting lineup (4-4-2)

Brayan Cortés (GK) - Damián Suárez, Gastón Silva, Juan Rodríguez, Lucas Hernández - Eric Remedi, David Terans, Leandro Umpiérrez, Héctor Villalba - Matías Arezo, Diego García

⛔️ Out: Eduardo Darias, Pedro Milans, Leonardo Fernandez

👤 Head coach: Diego Aguirre

Racing Club vs Penariol: head to head statistics

This will be the second encounter between these teams in some competition. In the first duel Penarol were better team, and won 1:0 at home.

Racing Club vs Penariol: Betting Tips & Odds

• In 3 of their last 5 games both teams didn't score and this option is available on the Betway bookmaker website at 1.5 odds;
• Racing Club won in the last 2 matches of Copa Libertadores at home. This option is available on the Bet365 bookmaker website at 1.52 odds;
• Penarol scored at least one goal in the last 6 away matches. This option is available on the 1xbet bookmaker website at 2.03 odds;

Racing Club vs Penarol match prediction 20 August 2025

There is no doubt that we will see one tight and tough match. Racing Club are the favorite according to many, but I expect a big fight from experienced and successful team as Penarol. I believe that we will watch very closed first half, both teams will try to control the game and won't be risking too much. However, in the end I think that Racing will advance to the next stage, as they have more quality individual which can change and decide the game.

Our match prediction is first half - draw for a coefficient of 2.07 in the 1xBet bookmaker.

Our betting tip on the match is 2 or 3 goals to be scored for a coefficient of 1.98 in the Betway bookmaker.

Lastly, correct score 2:0 for 5.5 odds in the Bet365 bookmaker.