Estudiantes Merida have little to play for when they welcome Fortaleza in round five of their Group H Copa Sudamericana action on Tuesday.
The winless hosts have been eliminated from the competition, whereas the away side seek to seal progress as table toppers at Estadio Metropolitano.
Match preview
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It has not been a memorable journey for Estudiantes in this year's Copa Sudamericana, with four straight losses confirming their group stage exit.
Ali Canas's team have netted just twice in four games and have conceded 13 times at the other end, underlining their struggles in the competition.
Indeed, this wretched run of results spread into other competitions, evidenced by seven defeats in their last 10 everywhere.
Two of those victories came last month — a 3-2 win at Angostura and a 3-1 success over Mineros de Guayana — but have been followed by back-to-back losses.
With second place in the Copa Sudamericana no longer feasible for Rojiblancos, the home side have nothing but pride to play for on Tuesday.
As for Fortaleza, they have been unblemished in this year's competition, winning every game and confirming progress to the knockout rounds with games to spare.
However, their round of 16 place is not assured, even if they are favourites to seal a spot in the knockout rounds this week.
Juan Pablo Vojvoda's troops visit the Metropolitano on Tuesday looking to seal a fifth straight win in Group H, thus ending as group winners with that result.
A draw will suffice for the Brazilian side because they have a goal-difference advantage over Chilean side Palestino, whose current goal difference (+1) falls significantly short of Fortaleza (+12).
With 15 goals scored, and just three conceded, Leao do Pici are resounding favourites to record another success.
Team News
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Edison Penilla received a second yellow in Estudiantes Merida's 6-1 thrashing by Palestino, ruling out the centre-back of Tuesday's game.
Despite Rojiblancos' struggles, Luis Arenas has netted two goals for the bottom side, and the forward could be pivotal to any threat the hosts carry.
Fortaleza are still without long-term absentee Pedro Rocha because of the winger's ruptured ligament, while Fernando Miguel's knee problems are expected to keep him out of Tuesday's game.
Romarinho and Guilherme are not expected to feature for the Brazilian side after going off injured in the Brazilian side's goalless encounter with Bahia on Saturday.
Estudiantes Merida possible starting lineup:
Velasquez; Guaramato, Matos, Marquez, Labrador; Canelon, Paez, Flores, Arenas; Paredes, Zorrilla
Fortaleza possible starting lineup:
Ricardo; Tinga, Britez, Titi, Pacheco; Welison, Alexandre; Calebe, Pochettino, Pikachu; Galhardo
We say: Estudiantes Merida 1-3 Fortaleza
With Estudiantes in dire straits, Fortaleza are favourites to make mincemeat of their hosts on Tuesday, with a dominant 3-1 triumph a possibility at Estadio Metropolitano to secure a fifth straight group stage triumph.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
