Seeking to end their three-game winless run in Group E of the Copa Libertadores, Independiente Medellin play host to Guairena at the Estadio Hernan Ramirez Villegas on Tuesday.
The Paraguayan side, on the other hand, have enjoyed an unbeaten campaign so far and will look to pick up their third group victory and secure a place in the knockout stages.
Match preview
Independiente Medellin returned to winning ways on Saturday as they saw off Deportivo La Equidad 2-0 when the sides squared off in the Colombian Categoria Primera A.
Thirty-three-year-old midfielder Vladimir Hernandez put on a clinic in front of the home fans as he scored in either half to comfortably hand the hosts all three points.
This followed a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Internacional in the Copa Sudamericana last Tuesday, when 32-year-old Edenilson scored a brace to hand the Brazilian outfit a comfortable home victory.
Independiente Medellin have now lost each of their last three outings in Group E, scoring two and shipping six since a 2-1 victory over Ecuadorian side 9 de Octubre on April 15.
With four points from five games, Julio Comesana's side are currently rock bottom in the group standings and will be playing just for pride on Tuesday as they currently sit five points off the qualification spot.
Guairena, on the other hand, have enjoyed an unbeaten campaign in the Copa Libertadores so far and currently sit level on nine points with Internacional at the top of Group E.
Having seen Saturday's league tie against Octubre de Itaugua postponed, the Albicelestes now head into Tuesday off the back of a 3-2 win over 9 de Octubre when the sides met on May 18.
Troadio Duarte's men are now unbeaten in each of their last five outings across all competitions, picking up two wins and three draws since a 1-0 defeat at Club Olimpia on May 2.
While Guairena will be looking to leapfrog Internacional to a place in the knockout stages, they have managed just one win in their last six games on the road, losing three and picking up two draws in that time.
- L
- D
- W
- L
- L
- L
- D
- L
- W
- W
- L
- W
- D
- D
- D
- W
- D
- W
- L
- D
- W
- D
- D
- W
Team News
Independiente Medellin will take to the pitch without Jose Hernandez Chavez, who has been out of action since coming off injured against Envigado on April 2.
With 10 goals in 18 league appearances this season, Luciano Pons has been on song for the hosts and we expect the 32-year-old forward to spearhead the attack once again.
At the opposite end of the pitch, we should see a centre-back pairing of Victor Moreno and Andres Cadavid once again, shielding 30-year-old Andres Mosquera between the sticks.
Meanwhile, Guairena head into the game with a clean bill of health and no suspension concerns, giving Duarte the luxury of a full-strength squad at his disposal.
Full-back Joel Jimenez is in contention to return to the starting XI after missing the clash with 9 de Octubre last time out through a one-match suspension for receiving his marching orders against Internacional on May 5.
Independiente Medellin possible starting lineup:
Mosquera; Arboleda, Moreno, Cadavid, Gomez; Arregui, Pineda; Mosquera, Ricaurte, Hernandez; Pons
Guairena possible starting lineup:
Escobar; Gimenez, Paniagua, Ruiz, Jimenez; Ayala, Toledo, Aguilar; Maciel, Comas, Otazu
We say: Independiente Medellin 2-2 Guairena
Tuesday's game sees two sides at opposite ends of the group standings go head to head with Guairena needing a win to progress to the next round. However, Independiente Medellin have been solid on home turf, losing just once in their last 15 outings since the turn of the year. We predict they will make use of their home advantage once again and do just enough to force a share of the spoils.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joshua Ojele
