The Copa Sudamericana journey for Estudiantes and Goias will recommence on Wednesday when both sides open their round of 16 tie at Estadio Jorge Luis Hirschi.
Estudiantes got to this point thanks to an emphatic 4-0 win over Barcelona in the second leg of that round of 32 clash, winning the tie 5-2 on aggregate, while Goias topped their group with 12 points, two more than Universitario.
Match preview
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An impressive opening six matches at the 2023 Sudamericana has put El Leon into the knockout stage of this competition for the first time since 2014.
Eduardo Dominguez has installed an intelligent defensive approach in this competition, which was highly influential in the group stage as his team conceded the second-fewest goals (one).
The one goal they conceded versus Bragantino ultimately prevented Estudiantes from capturing the group, relegating them into the knockout round playoffs.
So far in this year's competition Los Pincharratas have often overwhelmed their opponents, going unbeaten in four home fixtures, outscoring the opposition by a margin of 13-1 in those encounters.
They will enter this upcoming match on a four-game winning run in all competitions, producing three clean sheets over that stretch.
El Leon have never lost a Sudamericana home fixture in the round of 16, defeating Uruguayan side Penarol 2-1 in their previous home outing at this stage in 2014.
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Making their first appearance at this competition since 2015, Goias have looked a lot sharper this time around, claiming a spot in the knockout stage for the first time since 2014.
Half-time adjustments throughout their group matches have often helped turn the tide in their favour, with Esmeraldino going unbeaten so far in this competition, scoring six of their seven goals in the final 45 minutes.
Armando Evangelista's men have netted multiple times in all of their away group fixtures at this year's event, scoring twice versus Gimnasia to capture a 2-0 triumph, their only-ever victory on Argentine soil in this tournament.
Goias have lost three of four opening legs in the Sudamericana round of 16, with their only such victory coming in 2010 when this team made the final before losing the trophy on penalties versus Independiente.
Wednesday will be the first time they meet Estudiantes in this competition, though the two sides have faced each other on two previous occasions, in the 2006 Copa Libertadores group stage when Goias won 3-1 at home but gave up two goals in the final 10 minutes, suffering a 2-0 defeat in La Plata.
Their form to date in this competition is a sharp contrast from the performances we have seen out of them in the Brasileiro Serie A, where they have been fighting off relegation throughout the campaign, currently a point above Bahia for the final place in the top-flight next season, following a 1-1 draw at home to Gremio.
Team News
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Dominguez only made one change to his opening lineup from leg one to two versus Barcelona, as Franco Zapiola replaced Gaston Benedetti.
A Mauro Mendez brace after 19 minutes enabled them to turn that round of 32 tie in their favour before Benjamin Rollheiser and Guido Carrillo added insurance markers, while Mariano Andujar made two stops for his fifth clean sheet of this competition, one of which was shared between him and reserve goalkeeper Daniel Sappa.
Goias could have Diego and Gabriel Novaes back in the lineup for this encounter, having both missed some time with a back and thigh injury respectively.
Goals from Guilherme Marques and Matheusinho propelled them to a 2-1 victory over Santa Fe on matchday six at the Sudamericana, enabling the Brazilians to top that group, while Tadeu picked up three clean sheets in the group stage, with Marcelo Rangel collecting one.
Estudiantes possible starting lineup:
Andujar; Godoy, Nunez, Lollo, Benedetti; Rollheiser, Veron, Ascacibar, Zapiola; Mendez, Pellegrino
Goias possible starting lineup:
Tadeu; Santos, Halter, Melo, Hugo; Oliveira, Morelli; Matheusinho, Marques, Vinicius; Alesson
We say: Estudiantes 1-0 Goias
The Argentines are in fine form at the moment and have looked very well-organised and virtually impenetrable defensively in this competition to date.
We do not expect them to be tested too much on Wednesday against one of the weakest attacking units in the Brasileiro Serie A this season.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joel Lefevre
