Blooming and Audax Italiano return to action in the Copa Sudamericana as they go head to head at the Estadio Ramon Tahuichi Aguilera on Wednesday evening.
Having lost each of their four matches so far, the Bolivian outfit will be playing just for pride, while the visitors need a win to keep their dreams of a first-placed finish alive.
Match preview
After a seven-year absence from the Copa Sudamericana, Blooming marked their return in style as they hammered Palmaflor del Tropico 6-0 in the qualifiers on March 3.
After an emphatic qualifying result that has flattered to deceive, it has been downhill for the Bolivian outfit, who have suffered defeat in each of their four matches in Group E so far.
A lack of sting in attack has been a huge factor in their underwhelming group-stage run, as they failed to make the net ripple in their opening three games, before scoring twice in a 3-2 defeat against Newell's Old Boys a fortnight ago.
Their showing at the Copa Sudamericana has been in keeping with their struggles back at home, as they sit just one point above rock-bottom Jorge Wilstermann in the Bolivian Division Professional after 15 matches.
However, Carlos Bustos's men picked up a 3-1 victory over Club Vaca Diez on Sunday to end their two-match losing streak courtesy of Juan Arce's first-half strike and a brace from former Juventude midfielder Rafinha.
Blooming head into Wednesday knowing that they have nothing to play for in the final two matches as they sit rock-bottom in group standings, seven points adrift of the visitors in second place.
After a nail-biting 3-2 victory over Universidad Catolica in the qualifiers, Audax Italiano were beaten 1-0 at home by Newell's Old Boys in their group opener on April 4, two weeks before holding out for a goalless draw against Santos at the Urbano Caldeira Stadium.
The performance against the Brazilian side served as a springboard for a fine run of form as they picked up successive wins in their two subsequent group fixtures, including a 2-1 victory over Santos in their most recent outing.
After falling behind to Guilherme Camacho's 20th-minute strike, Gonzalo Sosa spearheaded an impressive comeback at the Estadio Municipal de La Florida as the 34-year-old grabbed a brace to turn the game on its head.
This was a third consecutive win for Audax Italiano, including two back-to-back victories in the Chilean Primera Division, where they are currently 10th in the league table, level on 19 points with 11th-placed Palestino.
With two group games left to play, Luca Marcogiuseppe's men will be looking over their shoulder as they are currently just three points above third-placed Santos outside the knockout-stage qualification places.
Team News
With his brace against Club Vaca Diez, Rafinha now has four goals in his last four matches and the 31-year-old will be one to keep an eye on.
He should be joined in the Blooming final third by Arce and former Lanus striker Jose Sinisterra, while we expect an unchanged back four of Miguel Angel Becerra, Richet Gomez Miranda, Guimer Justiniano and Denilson Duran.
As for Audax Italiano, Marcogiuseppe will be unable to call upon Lautaro Palacios, who has been out of action since suffering an Achilles tendon rupture back in January.
Argentine midfielder Gonzalo Rios is also a major doubt for the visitors after suffering a game-ending injury inside the opening 10 minutes in the win against Santos on May 25.
In his absence, 25-year-old Michael Fuentes should come into the starting side, teaming up with Luis Riveros and experienced striker Santos at the attacking end of the pitch.
Blooming possible starting lineup:
Cunaendi; Becerra, Miranda, Justiniano, Duran; Spenhay, Siles; Arismendi, Rafinha, Arce; Sinisterra
Audax Italiano possible starting lineup:
Ahumada; Rojas, Labrin, Pereira, Cereceda; Juarez, Diaz; Fuentes, Hachen, Riveros; Sosa
We say: Blooming 0-2 Audax Italiano
With Santos breathing down their neck, Audax Italiano must avoid a slip-up in their final two outings as they look to reach the knockout stages. Marcogiuseppe's side take on a Blooming side who have endured a forgettable campaign and we fancy them picking up all three points once again.
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