Seeking to pick up two consecutive home victories and book their place in the knockout stages of the Copa Sudamericana, Internacional play host to 9 de Octubre at the Estadio Jose Pinheiro Borda on Tuesday.
The Ecuadorian outfit, on the other hand, head into the game winless in each of their last 11 away games across all competitions since November and will be looking to end this dry spell.
Match preview
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Internacional were involved in a share of the spoils for the fourth game on the bounce in the Serie A when they played out a 1-1 draw away to Cuiaba on Sunday.
In a heated contest at the Arena Pantanal, Valdivia put the hosts ahead five minutes into the second half but Carlos De Pena restored parity in the 83rd minute as he calmly finished from the penalty spot.
Prior to that, the Brazilian side made it five consecutive games without defeat in the Copa Sudamericana when Edenilson scored a brace to hand them a 2-0 victory over Independiente Medellin on a May 17
Internacional have now won two and drawn three of their five matches in Group E to collect nine points and sit top of the standings, level on points with Paraguayan outfit Guairena in second place.
Mano Menezes's men head into Tuesday unbeaten in each of their last 10 outings across all competitions, picking up four wins and five draws since a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Atletico Mineiro on April 10.
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9 de Octubre, on the other hand, continue to struggle for form in the Ecuadorian top flight as they were on the receiving end of a 3-2 defeat against Cumbaya FC on Saturday.
The Octubrinos have now failed to taste victory in each of their last 12 league outings, picking up five draws and losing seven since a 2-0 win over Mushuc Runa in the Liga Pro on February 27.
9 de Octubre now turn their attention to the Copa Sudamericana, where they are currently third in the group standings and will be playing just for pride as they currently sit five points off the qualification spot heading into Tuesday's finale.
While Juan Carlos Leon's side will be looking to pick up just their second group win and upset the hosts, they have struggled to get going on the road, where they are currently on a three-game losing streak and are winless since seeing off Manta FC 3-1 on November 9.
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Team News
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Internacional will take to the pitch without the trio of Kaique Rocha, Rodrigo Moledo and Taison, who have all been sidelined through thigh injuries.
They are joined on the club's injury table by Brazilian defender Rene, who is set to sit out his second consecutive game after coming off injured in last Tuesday's group game against Independiente Medellin.
The midfield duo of Gabriel Boschilia and Bruno Gomes will also sit out Tuesday's game as they are currently recuperating from knee and elbow problems respectively.
As for 9 de Octubre, Leon will be unable to call upon the services of Orlin Quinonez, who has been out of action since last November through a fractured fibula injury.
Eder Cetre is also a doubt for the visitors after the 27-year-old midfielder missed the weekend's trip to Cumbaya FC after he sustained an injury in the group tie against Guairena on May 18.
While Mauro Da Luz is suspended for domestic fixtures courtesy of his red card against Cumbaya, the Uruguayan forward is eligible to feature on Tuesday and we expect him to lead the attack alongside Alfredo Stephens and Ricardo Phillips.
Internacional possible starting lineup:
Daniel; Bustos, Vitao, Mercado, Moises; Edenilson, Gabriel, Lizeiro, Wanderson; Patrick, David
9 de Octubre possible starting lineup:
Recalde; Medina, Lucas, Torres, Nazareno; Jaramillo, Cazares; Da Luz, Luna, Phillips; Stephens
We say: Internacional 2-1 9 de Octubre
Internacional have enjoyed a solid continental run and will be looking to beat Guairena to a place in the knockout stages. The Brazilian side head into Tuesday as favourites as they take on a floundering 9 de Octubre side whose last win away from home came back in November. Looking at the contrasting form between the sides and the gulf in quality in their squads, we are tipping Internacional to claim all three points in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joshua Ojele
