The final round of games in the group stage of the Copa Libertadores takes place this week, with Athletico Paranaense hosting Alianza Lima at Arena da Baixada on Tuesday seeking to seal first place in Group G.
Athletico are assured of ending atop the section with maximum points, while the away side could still end in third, thus guaranteeing a Copa Sudamericana place and not exiting continental competition entirely.
Match preview
© Reuters
Athletico made sure of progress to the round of 16 after defeating Libertad 2-0 at the start of June in the penultimate round of fixtures but could be leapfrogged at the top of Group G if they do not match Atletico Mineiro's result in the final game.
The table toppers are a point ahead of the second-placed side, whose nine points mean they could supplant Wesley Carvalho's team.
Carvalho is in charge in an interim capacity following Paulo Turra's departure on June 16, and it remains to be seen if the change in the dugout affects the decent-to-good group-stage showing from the first-placed side.
Despite an indifferent set of results away from home in the Libertadores — one win, a draw and one loss — Furacao have been without blemish at Arena da Baixada, claiming two wins from two, so they should be fancied for Tuesday's fixture.
Athletico were able to fend off Alianza in the reverse encounter in round one despite a 78th-minute sending-off for Thiago Heleno, and they could finish the job after dominating that opening game and fashioning the better openings.
Their visitors are Alianza, who still have something riding on the outcome of Tuesday's game in Curitiba.
The fourth-placed side in Group G have four points from five games but have third-placed Libertad in their sights heading into the final round of group-stage fixtures in the competition.
Two points separate both clubs, putting Alianza in a position where they must beat Athletico and hope Mineiro wins against the team in third.
A draw in that game could suffice due to the marginal goal difference between Alianza (-3) and Libertad (-1), but that would require a comfortable win for the former against Athletico on Tuesday — an outcome that is far from guaranteed for Guillermo Salas's men due to their opponent's 100 percent home form.
The Peruvian side's only win hitherto was away from home — a 2-1 triumph over Libertad — giving the Copa Sudamericana hopefuls reason for optimism before Tuesday's game.
Team News
© Reuters
Marcelo Cirino returned to action after almost a year out with an eight-minute cameo against Sao Paulo, and the forward could make the Athletico bench on Tuesday.
The hosts also welcomed back Leo Cittadini after a hamstring injury earlier this month, but he is not expected to play from the off against Alianza.
Athletico's talented frontman, Vitor Roque, has netted a goal each in his last three league appearances, making the 18-year-old the hosts' undoubted star for their final Libertadores group game.
Alianza have several injury problems heading into Tuesday's make-or-break fixture with the Brazilian side, with doubts over Gabriel Costa (leg) and Pablo Sabbag (ankle).
Cristian Benavente is undoubtedly out with a knee injury, as are Gino Peruzzi and Andres Andrade, who should play no part.
Despite his advanced years, 39-year-old Hernan Barcos could threaten the Athletico backline — the centre-forward has netted nine league goals in eight starts.
Athletico Paranaense possible starting lineup:
Bento; Henrique, Heleno, Ze Ivaldo; Madson, Erick, Fernandinho, Christian; Bueno, Roque, Canobbio
Alianza Lima possible starting lineup:
Campos; Vilchez, Miguez, Garcia, Lagos; Ballon, Castillo; Zanaletto, Concha, Rodriguez; Barcos
We say: Athletico Paranaense 2-1 Alianza Lima
Both sides are expected to be assertive in this game, but Athletico's superior technical quality and home form should give them the edge over Alianza.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
