A spot in the last 16 of the Copa Libertadores will be on the line this Tuesday as Bragantino travel to Estadio Gran Parque Central in Montevideo to face Nacional.
The Brazilians are currently positioned to finish second in Group C, ahead of Velez Sarsfield, but Bolso could overtake them with a victory as they sit in fourth, just a point back.
Match preview
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Nacional represent the final hope for Uruguay at this year's competition, as they aim to make it into the knockout stage for the second time in three years.
Since 2016, they are the only team from Uruguay who have made it beyond the group stage of the Copa Libertadores.
If not for some late drama on matchday five, Pablo Repetto and his side would be in a much better position as they conceded a goal in the 94th minute to Velez Sarsfield, losing 3-2.
That was the only game in the group stage in which they had scored first, and they head into their final encounter without a win against a Brazilian club in this tournament since 2019.
Their last-minute defeat to Velez Sarsfield was only the second time this year in which Decano lost a home fixture, shutting out their opponents in three of their previous four matches played in Montevideo.
The Nacional midfielders have struggled to prevent access into central spaces throughout the competition, conceding four or more efforts on target in every one of their five matches.
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After being 13 minutes away from earning a valuable point on matchday five, Mauricio Barbieri and his team know that they probably need to claim all three points on Tuesday if they are to move on.
Massa Bruta have a goal differential of -1, which is the only thing keeping them ahead of Velez Sarsfield in third, with the Argentines at -3.
Their aggressive approach has captured the attention of teams across Brazil, as most sides currently in the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A tend to play conservatively with a deep line.
Braga are one of the more intense teams in South America, who like to play fast, attacking football, often forgoing the midfield with a high press that has become a trademark of Red Bull clubs.
Their tactics and approach to the game are relatively unique compared to most South American clubs, as they love to play a high defensive line, with their defenders often building up the play from the back and helping to create chances in the final third.
As aggressive and offensive-minded as they are, Braga have done a better job covering the space in behind their midfielders, conceding a goal or fewer in five of their last six matches in all competitions, though they have lost two of their previous three games in the group stage.
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Team News
Yonathan Rodriguez and Diego Zabala scored in their 2-0 victory over Albion this weekend, as Nacional moved into a tie for first in their domestic league alongside Maldonado.
Emmanuel Gigliotti scored his team-leading third of the Copa Libertadores on matchday five, though goalkeeper Martin Rodriguez did not get a lot of help from his backline, as he faced 10 shots on target, conceding the winner to Maximo Perrone in injury time.
Manuel Monzeglio and Felipe Carballo have each scored four goals domestically this season, and even though neither have tallied so far in this competition, Carballo is one of only three players to have an assist for them as he, Diego Zabala and Camilo Candido all lead the way with one.
Jose Hurtado, Leo Realpe, Renan and Luan Candido started on defence for Braga on matchday five, allowing just two efforts on target, but it was not enough to earn a point against Estudiantes.
Ytalo has three goals domestically and another three so far at this tournament, as he and Hurtado scored in the first and second half respectively in their previous meeting with Nacional in early April, while Cleiton did not have to face a single shot on target to collect the clean sheet.
Barbieri made a number of changes to his opening 11 against Estudiantes compared to the team who started in their 2-0 defeat to Palmeiras as Hurtado, Renan, Luan Candido, Jadsom, Artur, Ytalo and Helinho replaced Guilherme, Natan, Aderlan, Sorriso, Hyoran, Bruno Tubarao and Jan Hurtado.
Nacional possible starting lineup:
M. Rodriguez; J. Rodriguez, Laborda, Marichal, Candido; Y. Rodriguez, Carballo; Monzeglio, Zabala, Otormin; Gigliotti
Bragantino possible starting lineup:
Cleiton; Aderlan, Realpe, Renan, Ramon; Praxedes, Jadsom, Ramires; Artur, Ytalo, Alerrandro
We say: Nacional 1-3 Bragantino
Expect to see plenty of urgency from each side who will know that a victory could very well send them into the next round of the competition.
The firepower of Mass Bruta should carry them through, as Nacional have made a lot more mistakes than their Brazilian adversaries, which is why we are favouring Bragantino to win this match.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joel Lefevre
