Bragantino can maintain their 100% home record at the 2024 Copa Sudamericana when they host Barcelona SC in the second leg of that round-of-32 tie on Wednesday at Estadio Nabi Abi Chedid.
The Brazilians failed to hang onto an early advantage in the first game of this tie last week, playing to a 1-1 draw heading to the return leg in Braganca Paulista.
Match preview
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A strong start for Bragantino in the opening leg of this tie proved to be in vain, as they failed to win when scoring first for the first time at the Sudamericana this year.
Fortunately, Pedro Caixinha's men are at home for this do-or-die affair, claiming victory in each of their matches at Estadio Nabi Abi Chedid in this tournament while currently riding a four-game winning run at home across all competitions.
In their third-ever appearance at this competition, the Red Bull club have always made it to at least the last 16, a feat that will be in jeopardy on Wednesday.
Braga have not lost a knockout fixture at this tournament within 90 minutes since Athletico Paranaense defeated them 1-0 in the 2021 final at Centenario Stadium in Uruguay.
They have not lost to an Ecuadorian opponent at home in the Sudamericana or Libertadores, conceding only once in two meetings against sides from there.
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On Wednesday, Barcelona SC have a chance to do something they have not been able to achieve in over a dozen years (2012), qualify for the last 16 of this tournament.
Ariel Holan's men did not win a single game away from home in the Libertadores group stage this year, claiming just two points as the visiting team in that competition.
Three of their last four away matches across all competitions have ended in defeat or a draw, with this team losing 1-0 at Mushuc Runa in their previous road fixture in June.
Since exiting the Libertadores, Toreros have conceded a goal or fewer in each of their last eight games after giving up nine goals in the group phase of the Libertadores this year.
It has been over a dozen years since they previously made it into the round of 16 at this tournament in 2012, while they have never beaten a Brazilian opponent at the Sudamericana.
Team News
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In the opening leg of this tie, Bragantino were without Nathan Camargo and Jadsom because of knee injuries while Talisson was sidelined due to an issue with his thigh.
An 18th-minute strike courtesy of Helinho in the opening leg was the only goal the Brazilians would score, the team-leading fourth of the tournament for the 24-year-old.
Since May, Barcelona have been missing Allen Obando, who has had to deal with a bout of pneumonia, while Franklin Guerra is doubtful, having suffered torn ligaments in February.
Just beyond the half-hour mark of the opening leg last Wednesday, the Ecuadorians got their equaliser courtesy of Janner Corozo, the first for them at the Sudamericana this year.
Bragantino possible starting lineup:
Cleiton; Mendes, Henrique, Santos, Candido; Lincoln, Fernandes, Evangelista; Helinho, Sasha, Mosquera
Barcelona SC possible starting lineup:
Burrai; Castillo, Ramirez, Sosa, Chala; Trindade, Arroyo; Preciado, Diaz, Corozo; Reasco
We say: Bragantino 1-1 Barcelona SC (Bragantino advances on penalties)
Just like the first leg, we anticipate a close match on Wednesday, but with the football gods smiling on Braga, who have an excellent shot-stopper between the sticks, we believe they will have learned a lot from their exit at this tournament on penalties last year.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
