Racing Club and Athletico Paranaense return to action in the Copa Sudamericana when they go head to head at the Estadio Presidente Peron in the second leg of their quarter-final clash on Thursday night.
Having suffered a 1-0 first-leg defeat in Brazil last Friday, La Academia will head into the midweek clash looking to overturn the one-goal deficit and keep their dreams of a first Sudamericana title alive.
Match preview
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Racing Club failed to arrest their slump in form at the weekend as they fell to a 2-0 defeat against 10-man Talleres when the two sides squared off at the Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes in the Argentine Primera Division.
In a game where Franco Moyano received an early bath, the visitors failed to make use of their numerical advantage as Valentin Depietri and Cristian Tarragona scored in either half to hand Talleres their seventh league win of the campaign.
Two days earlier, Racing's Copa Sudamericana dreams suffered a slight blow as they were beaten 1-0 by Athletico Paranaense in the first leg of their quarter-final clash courtesy of a first-half strike from 18-year-old midfielder Joao Cruz.
Gustavo Costas' men had enjoyed a smooth run to the quarter-finals, picking up five wins from their six group-stage games to finish two points clear at the top of Group H before claiming an emphatic 8-1 aggregate victory over Huachipato in the round of 16 back in August.
After two consecutive defeats on their travels, Racing will be backing themselves to turn things around on Thursday as they return home, where they are unbeaten in nine of their last 10 games across all competitions, picking up eight wins and one draw since mid-May.
It is also worth mentioning that La Academia also boast a 100% home record in the Copa Sudamericana, winning each of their four games at the Estadio Presidente Peron while scoring 15 goals and keeping three clean sheets.
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Athletico Paranaense, on the other hand, picked up four wins and lost two of their six group-stage games to finish runners-up in Group E with 12 points from a possible 18 and set up a playoff clash against Paraguayan outfit Cerro Porteno back in July.
Having held on for a 1-1 first-leg draw in Paraguay on July 19, Athletico Paranaense's men had to show their mettle in the return leg one week later as they secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory at the Arena da Baixada to win the tie on aggregate.
The Rubro-Negro made light work of Belgrano in the round of 16 in August as they picked up a 4-1 aggregate victory over the Argentine outfit to reach the quarter-finals, where they hold a vital first-leg advantage heading into Thursday.
While Paranaenses have enjoyed a solid Sudamericana run, they have failed to win any of their last eight domestic matches, losing five and claiming three draws, including a goalless draw against Criciuma in the Brasileiro Serie A on Sunday night.
This poor run of results has seen them drop into 13th place in the Serie A table, just three points above the relegation zone, while they have also crashed out of the Copa do Brasil following a penalty-shootout defeat against Vasco da Gama in the quarter-finals on September 12.
While Paranaense will be looking to continue from where they left off against Racing and edge closer to a third Copa Sudamericana title, they will need to be at their best at the Estadio Presidente Peron as they have failed to win four of their last five away matches since August 11.
Team News
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Racing Club will take to the pitch without the services of 32-year-old defender Agustin Garcia Basso, who has missed each of the last three matches through a shoulder injury.
He is joined on La Academia's injury table by fellow defender Gabriel Rojas, who is set to sit out his sixth consecutive game since suffering a broken toe against Huachipato back in August.
As for Paranaense, Uruguayan tactician Martin Varini has been relieved of his role at head coach after barely three months in charge, with Luchi Gonzalez taking over at the helm of affairs.
While Gonzalez will be looking to begin his stint on a positive note, the 43-year-old will be unable to call upon the services of experienced midfielder Fernandinho, who is currently recuperating from a muscle injury.
Argentine midfielder Bruno Zapelli was forced off injured midway through the first half against Racing last Friday and the 22-year-old is also out of contention for the Rubro-Negro.
Racing Club possible starting lineup:
Arias; Di Cesare, Sosa, Quiros; Martirena, Mura, Nardoni, Almendra; Quintero, Salas, Martinez
Athletico Paranaense possible starting lineup:
Mycael; Erick, Rocha, Heleno, Fernando; Cardoso, Gabriel; Cuello, Cruz, Canobbio; Mastriani
We say: Racing Club 1-1 Athletico Paranaense
Atletico Paranaense have their sights fixed on the Copa Sudamericana as they look to make up for their underwhelming domestic campaign. However, Gonzalez's men take on a Racing side who have been tough to crack at home and will be looking to find their feet after a difficult few weeks.
While we expect Racing to go all out at the Estadio Presidente Peron, we predict that Paranaense will do just enough to frustrate the hosts and hold out for a share of the spoils to win the tie on aggregate.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
