LDU Quito will be aiming to take a significant step towards the Copa Sudamericana round of 16 when they welcome Always Ready to Estadio Rodrigo Paz Delgado on Friday.
The Ecuadorian outfit failed to progress from the Copa Libertadores group stage, finishing third, and they will be looking to overcome their Bolivian opponents who finished second during the Copa Sudamericana group stage.
Match preview
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LDU Quito's Copa Libertadores campaign ended prematurely after accumulating just seven points in the group stage, forcing them to defend their Copa Sudamericana title.
The reigning Ecuadorian champions, who lifted the continental trophy for the second time last year, having previously done so in 2009, are no strangers to this competition.
Pablo Sanchez is the club's fourth manager this year, taking over from caretaker manager Patricio Hurtado on June 19, and the Argentine will be eager to make an immediate impact as LDU aim to retain their crown.
With a strong home record, apart from a rare defeat to Junior Barranquilla in the Libertadores, the hosts will be confident of securing a first-leg advantage.
Always Ready, on the other hand, are participating in their second Copa Sudamericana campaign, after previously appearing in 2020.
The Bolivian side will be looking to remain in the competition after finishing as runners-up during the group stage with 11 points, just two points behind the group winners Independiente Medellin.
However, the Albirrojo have failed to win any of their last three matches across all competitions, losing twice and drawing once, while conceding six goals and scoring just once.
Flabio Torres's side have also struggled on their travels, winning just one of their last 11 away matches in all competitions, and they will face a stern test against their more illustrious opponents.
Team News
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LDU Quito have the entire squad available heading into this match, which will leave new manager Sanchez with a lot of options.
Paraguayan forward Alex Arce scored 14 goals in the last Serie A campaign and bagged two goals during the Libertadores group stage, making him a man to watch out for.
Wesley Tanque was Always Ready's top scorer during the Copa Sudamericana group stage, but they will have to navigate the rest of the competition without the forward who joined Japanese side FC Imbari last week.
Bolivian forward Jose Briceno will be hoping to fill the void despite appearing just once in the competition during the group stage.
LDU Quito possible starting lineup:
Dominiguez; Quintero, Ade, Zanini, Ramirez; Zambrano, Villamil, Alzugaray; Estupinan, Arce, Estrada
Always Ready possible starting lineup:
Baroja; Martinez, Vaca, Caicedo, Suarez; Cuellar, Terrazas, Canozales; Paniagua, Briceno, Carabali
We say: LDU Quito 2-0 Always Ready
LDU are the current champions of this competition and are formidable on home turf, making them clear favourites going into this encounter.
Furthermore, Always Ready are facing an unknown quantity in this match as the hosts have a new manager, which is a factor alongside their poor away record.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
