The knockout stages of the Copa Sudamericana are underway and will see Sporting Cristal and Emelec lock horns at the Estadio Nacional de Lima in the first leg of their last-32 clash on Thursday morning.
The Peruvian outfit were sent packing from the Copa Libertadores after a gruesome end to the group stages and will be looking to quickly clean the dust off their feet.
Match preview
© Reuters
Sporting Cristal were left spitting feathers in their final group game of the Copa Libertadores as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Fluminense on June 28, confirming their exit from the continental tournament.
Needing all three points to progress to the knockout stages, Tiago Nunez's men found themselves behind midway through the first half courtesy of a long-range strike from German Cano before Brenner restored parity in the 37th minute.
Sporting Cristal did go unbeaten in their final four matches in Group D, claiming eight points from a possible 12, however successive losses to Fluminense and River Plate in their opening two group games has seen them suffer yet another group-stage exit.
Since the Copa Libertadores elimination, Sporting Cristal have picked up four points from six in the Primera Division, claiming a 3-0 victory over Union Comercio on July 2 before last Saturday's goalless draw at Alianza Lima.
Last weekend's draw at the Estadio Alejandro Villanueva saw Los Cerveceros' 100% record in the new Peruvian top-flight campaign come to an end, but they have now gone 15 consecutive games without defeat across all competitions.
In that time, Sporting Cristal have picked up nine wins and six draws, with their last defeat coming on April 25, when Martin Perez Guedes and Jose Rivera scored in either half to hand Universitario the win.
Emelec, on the other hand, booked their spot in the knockout stages of the Copa Sudamericana in dramatic fashion as they beat Danubio 2-1 in a must-win group finale on June 29.
Hernan Torres Oliveros's men went into that contest one point behind the Uruguayan outfit, having failed to win four of their five group outings, including a 4-0 loss in April's reverse leg.
However, Bryan Cebali and Edgar Lastre scored in either half at the Estadio George Capwell to put El Bombillo in a commanding lead before 38-year-old striker Diego Vera pulled one back in the 65th minute.
Following a two-week break from action, Emelec will look to pick up from where they dropped off against Danubio and record back-to-back wins for the first time since beating Deportivo Cuenca and Tecnico Universitario in March.
However, the Ecuadorian outfit have struggled for results away from home, where they have managed just one win since last August and are yet to taste victory in the Copa Sudamericana this season.
Team News
© Reuters
Sporting Cristal will take to the pitch without 20-year-old forward Marlon Perea, who is yet to feature this year as he continues his lengthy spell on the sidelines.
He is joined on the club's injury table by fellow attacker Adrian Ugarriza, who has been out of action since picking up a knee problem back in March.
Yoshimar Yotun missed last weekend's game due to a three-match domestic suspension following his straight red against Union Comercio on July 2 but the experienced midfielder is eligible to feature on Wednesday.
Alejandro Hohberg and Brenner have netted 11 goals across all competitions this season, including two in the Copa Libertadores respectively, and the duo should spearhead the hosts' attack once again.
Miller Bolanos has been a standout performer for Emelec this season and the 33-year-old, who has 12 goals and assists in 14 matches since returning to the club in February, will be one to keep an eye on.
On the injury front, Oliveros will be unable to call upon the attacking duo of Alexis Zapata and Jefferson Vernaza, who are both currently recuperating from knee problems.
Ecuadorian left-back Jackson Rodriguez suffered a fibula fracture back in March, while fellow defender Joel Quintero is currently recovering from a meniscus injury.
Sporting Cristal possible starting lineup:
Solis; Loyola, Lutiger, Ignacio, Castillo; Yotun, Pretell, Lora; Hohberg, Brenner, Grimaldo
Emelec possible starting lineup:
Napa; Caicedo, Leon, Leguizamon, Carabali; Villaba, Cevallos; Lastre, Bolanos, Garcia; Angulo
We say: Sporting Cristal 2-1 Emelec
Still licking their wounds from their Copa Libertadores exit, Sporting Cristal will look to kick off their Sudamericana campaign on the front foot. Emelec have struggled to grind out results on the road and we see them falling short at the Estadio Nacional de Lima on Wednesday.
No Data Analysis info
Joshua Ojele
