Corinthians and Boca Juniors get the ball rolling in the knockout stages of the Copa Libertadores when they square off at the Neo Quimica Arena on Tuesday.
The Argentine outfit will head into the game seeking to get one over the hosts, having failed to win any of the two meetings between the sides when they met in the group stages.
Match preview
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Having missed the Copa Libertadores for three straight seasons, Corinthians will feature in the knockout stages of the continental showpiece for the first time since 2018, when they were knocked out in the round of 16 by Colo Colo.
The Brazilian outfit scaled through the group stages with the skin of their teeth after finishing runners-up in Group E, one point above third-placed Deportivo Cali.
After picking up six points from their opening three games, Vitor Pereira's side would run out of steam as they were held to a share of the spoils in each of their final three outings.
Corinthians head into Tuesday's game unbeaten in each of their last five games across all competitions, claiming three wins and two draws, including a goalless draw with Santos in the Brasileiro Serie A on Saturday.
Time do Povo will also take pride in their current form on home turf, where they are unbeaten in 16 consecutive outings, claiming 12 wins and four draws since last February's 2-1 loss to Santos.
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On the other hand, manager Sebastian Battaglia will be delighted to have guided his side to the knockout stages of the Copa Libertadores after a slow start to the campaign where they lost two of their opening three games.
After picking up three points from their first three outings, a run of two wins and one draw from the final three games helped Boca Juniors secure top spot in Group E, one point off second-placed Corinthians.
The Xeneizes head into Tuesday's game fresh off the back of suffering their second defeat in the new Argentine Primera Division as they lost 2-1 at the hands of Union on Saturday.
Boca Juniors picked up their last Copa Libertadores title back in 2007 when they saw off Gremio in the finals, but have since fallen short in the final on two different occasions — losing to Corinthians and River Plate in 2012 and 2015 respectively.
While the Argentine outfit will look to clinch their seventh continental crown, standing in their way is an opposing side who they have failed to defeat in five of the last six meetings between the teams since 2012.
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Team News
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Corinthians will take to the pitch without the midfield duo of Paulinho and Ruan Oliveira, who have been sidelined through cruciate ligament injuries.
Maycon adds to Time do Povo's midfield crisis as the 24-year-old battles a muscle problem, while forward Luan has been out of action since February through a hip injury.
Joao Victor is also an injury doubt having missed the game against Santos on Saturday through a sprained ankle he sustained in midweek, while Gil remains out with a thigh injury.
Boca Junior's injury list is significantly lighter by comparison as they will be without the services of Diego Gonzalez, who has been ruled out through a meniscus problem.
Battaglia's side will also make do with the absence of Norberto Briasco, who is yet to feature this year after suffering a severe ankle injury last November.
Dario Benedetto has scored three of Boca Junior's five goals so far in the Copa Libertadores and we expect the 32-year-old forward to spearhead the attack once again.
Corinthians possible starting lineup:
Cassio; Fagner, Mendez, Gustavo, F Santos; Paula, Cantillo, Queiroz; Moraes, Willian, Mantuan
Boca Juniors possible starting lineup:
Javier; Weigandt, Zambrano, Rojo, Sandez; Campuzano, Molinas, Rolon; Romero, Salvio, Benedetto
We say: Corinthians 2-1 Boca Juniors
Boca Juniors face the stern test of taking Corinthians at the Neo Quimica Arena, where the Brazilian side are unbeaten in 16 straight games. While we expect Battaglia's side to still put up a fight, we are backing the hosts to come away with a slender victory in what is expected to be a cagey contest.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joshua Ojele
