Botafogo return to action in the Copa Sudamericana when they visit the Estadio Presbitero Bartolome Grella to take on Patronato in the first leg of their round-of-32 clash on Wednesday.
The Argentine outfit, who suffered a group-stage exit from the Copa Libertadores, will be looking to pick up a third consecutive home win and begin their Sudamericana campaign on a high.
Match preview
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Patronato will be happy to have entered the Copa Sudamericana after a disappointing Copa Libertadores campaign, where they finished third in Group H.
The Argentine outfit lost four of their six matches while claiming two wins, including an all-important 1-0 victory away to Atletico Nacional in the group finale on June 28.
Veteran defender Cristian Gonzalez grabbed the headlines in that encounter as he scored the only goal of the game in the 81st minute to help the Patronato leapfrog Melgar into third place.
This was followed by an impressive 3-1 victory over Flandria in the Primeira Nacional on July 2, before crashing down to earth last Friday, when they fell to a 2-0 loss at Atletico Alvarado.
Rodolfo de Paoli's men now return home where they are on a run of two successive victories and have won five of their last seven outings across all competitions since the start of May.
Botafogo, on the other hand, have reached this stage of the Copa Sudamericana with relative ease as they finished six points above third-placed Deportes Magallanes.
The Brazilian side also enjoyed an unbeaten group-stage campaign, picking up two wins and four draws to collect 10 points and finish two points behind Group A winners LDU Quito.
They missed out on top spot in the final group game as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Deportes Magallanes on June 30, when Yorman Zapata cancelled out Marlon Freitas's first-half opener.
Botafogo head into Wednesday's clash fresh off the back of a comfortable 2-0 victory over Gremio in Serie A, where they are on a run of five consecutive victories and hold a healthy 10-point lead at the top of the standings.
The Estrela Solitaria are currently on a run of seven consecutive games without defeat across all competitions, picking up five wins and two draws since a 1-0 loss to Athletico Paranaense on June 3.
Team News
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De Paoli could name a similar side that beat Atletico Nacional a fortnight ago, with Lucas Kruspzky, Cristian Gonzalez, Sergio Ojeda and Matias Ruiz Diaz forming the back four.
Lautaro Geminiani has started the last five matches and should retain his role in the XI, while Fabio Vazquez and Nicolas Domingo should team up at the centre of the park.
Mateo Levato, who scored two goals in the Copa Libertadores, should lead the attack once again, while Nazareno Solis and Esquivel should provide support from the flanks.
Botafogo have announced the dismissal of Portuguese head coach Luis Castro, with fellow countryman and former Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Bruno Lage taking over the reins.
Lage will be unable to call upon the duo of Rafael da Silva and Matheus Nascimento, who are currently recuperating from knee and muscle injuries respectively.
Botafogo will also be without Lucas Fernandes, who has returned to Portimonense following the end of his loan spell, while Gabriel Pires has joined Benfica on a six-month loan.
Joao Victor Sa has missed the last two matches after coming off injured in the Copa Sudamericana game against Deportes Magallanes on June 30, while Freitas is suspended.
Patronato possible starting lineup:
Salva; Kruspzky, Gonzalez, Ojeda, R Diaz; Vazquez, Domingo, Geminiani; Solis, Esquivel, Levato
Botafogo possible starting lineup:
Perri; Di Placido, Adryelson, Cuesta, Hugo; Breno, Tche, Eduardo; Santos, Soares, Henrique
We say: Patronato 0-2 Botafogo
Botafogo have enjoyed a sensational campaign so far and are currently firing on all cylinders. While we expect the hosts to put up a fight, the Serie A side boasts the firepower needed to get the job done and we are backing them to come away victorious.
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Joshua Ojele
