LDU Quito and Botafogo return to action in the Copa Sudamericana when they go head to head at the Estadio Rodrigo Paz Delgado on Tuesday night.
Both sides head into the midweek game knowing they could grab an automatic pass to the knockout stages as they currently sit level on eight points at the top of Group A.
Match preview
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While LDU Quito have enjoyed an impressive campaign in their quest for a second Copa Sudamericana title, there have been signs of slowing down in their most recent outings.
After thrashing Delfin 4-0 in March's qualifying clash, the Ecuadorian outfit kicked off the group stages with successive wins over Universidad César Vallejo and Deportes Magallanes while scoring six goals over the two games.
However, LDU have managed just two points in their two matches since then, playing out a goalless draw with Botafogo on May 5, three weeks before they were held to a 1-1 draw with Magallanes.
Back home, Francisco Zubeldia's men are currently firing on all cylinders and sit second in the Ecuadorian Serie A standings, having picked up 24 points from their 13 outings so far.
LDU picked up a third league win on the bounce on Saturday when they thrashed 10-man Libertad 4-2 courtesy of goals from Juan Anangono, Mauricio Martinez and a brace from Alexander Alvarado.
Los Blancos now return to the Copa Sudamericana, where they will be looking to make a first knockout-stage appearance since 2021, when they reached the quarter-finals before losing 4-3 on aggregate to Athletico Paranaense.
As for Botafogo, they are making their first appearance in the continental showpiece since 2019, when they suffered a round-of-16 exit at the hands of Atletico Mineiro in an all-Brazilian affair.
Manager Luis Castro will be impressed with his side's performance so far as they have put themselves firmly in the race for the automatic knockout-stage ticket heading into the final two matches.
Botafogo have the same number of points and goal difference as LDU, and their five-point lead over third-placed Deportes Magallanes means that a place in the knockout stages could be secured on Wednesday.
However, O Glorioso are going through a sticky patch at the moment as they crashed out of the Copa do Brasil on penalties against Athletico Paranaense on June 1 and lost 1-0 to the Rubro-Negro in the Serie A on Saturday.
Botafogo also head into the midweek clash on a run of three defeats in their last four away games across all competitions since picking up three consecutive wins on the road back in April.
Team News
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Jose Enrique Angulo has been a standout performer for LDU in the Copa Sudamericana and we expect the 28-year-old forward to lead the attack once again.
The former Granada man, who has eight goal involvements since moving to the club in February, should be joined in attack by Anangono and 32-year-old Renato Ibarra.
At the opposite end of the pitch, the centre-back pair of Facundo Rodriguez and Ricardo Ade have started all four group-stage matches and should retain their roles in the XI.
Botafogo, on the other hand, will be without several players down the spine of the team as the likes of Gabriel Pires (calf), Gabriel Pires (knee) and Matias Segovia (hand) have been sidelined through injuries.
The midfield duo of Danilo Barbosa and former Palmeiras man Patrick de Paula will also not feature for the visitors due to thigh and knee injuries respectively.
LDU Quito possible starting lineup:
Carabali, Quintero, Ade, Rodriguez, Ramirez; Martinez, Piovi, Julio; Angulo, Ibarra, Anangono
Botafogo possible starting lineup:
Perri; Placido, Adryelson, Cuesta, Hugo; Freitas, Tche; Santos, Fernandes, Henrique; Soares
We say: LDU Quito 1-0 Botafogo
With first place in Group A potentially on the line, we anticipate a fierce battle at the Estadio Rodrigo Paz Delgado on Wednesday. LDU are unbeaten in their last eight matches across all competitions, and given Botafogo's contrasting form, we are backing them to come out on top in front of their home supporters.
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