Preview: Always Ready vs. Internacional - prediction, team news, lineups

Always Ready and Internacional kick off their Copa Libertadores campaigns on Tuesday, as they lock horns in the group stage in Bolivia.

This season is just a second Copa Libertadores appearance for the hosts, and their first since 1968, while the Brazilian outfit have lifted the trophy twice in their history.

Match preview

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Always Ready have had a mixed start to their season, currently sitting in fifth place in the Bolivian top flight having won two of their first four games.

One of those wins was a dominant 5-0 victory over CD San Jose, as Marcos Ovejero, Javier Sanguinetti and Robert Hernandez got on the scoresheet alongside a Carmelo Algaranaz brace.

However, La Banda Roja were dumped out in the first round of the Copa Sudamericana, as they lost 2-1 to Colombian outfit Millonarios over two legs.

They qualified for this year's tournament by winning the Bolivian top flight last year, as they edged out The Strongest by a single point.

As a result, they will kick off their first Copa Libertadores campaign in over 50 years on Tuesday, and will look to make a quick start with what would be a crucial victory.

They take on an Internacional side who are much more experienced on this stage, having lifted the trophy twice in the last 15 years.

The Brazilian outfit reached the round-of-16 stage last season, when they narrowly lost on penalties to Boca Juniors, despite a 1-0 away win in the second leg thanks to a Frank Fabra own goal.

Miguel Angel Ramirez's side have had a strong domestic campaign this year, currently topping the Campeonato Gaucho table with 20 points from their first 10 games.

They rose to the summit last time out with a dominant 6-1 victory over Aimore, in a game which saw three players sent off before half time.

A Tcharles own goal alongside a Thiago Galhardo hat-trick and goals from Heitor and Paolo Guerrero sealed an eye-catching win for the 45-time champions.

They will look to kickstart their bid for a third Copa Libertadores trophy on Wednesday, with a win to put them in a good position to advance out of the group.

Team News

Carmelo Algaranaz will lead the line for Always Ready, having netted three goals in the first four games of the domestic campaign.

The only two players to have featured in every minute of league football so far are the experienced pair of goalkeeper Carlos Lampe and centre-back Nelson Cabrera, while Cabrera's defensive partner Harold Cummings has also started every match.

Javier Sanguinetti has been a key player in the first four league games, registering two goals and two assists from midfield.

Despite being shown a red card in the recent 6-1 victory over Aimore, Victor Cuesta will be eligible to play for Internacional on Tuesday, as his suspension will instead carry over to their next league match.

Thiago Galhardo will lead the line with confidence, having netted a hat-trick last time out.

Miguel Angel Ramirez has rotated his goalkeeping options throughout the season, but Marcelo Lomba has been chosen in the last two games.

Always Ready possible starting lineup:
Lampe; Rodriguez, Cabrera, Cummings, Flores; Hernandez, Sanguinetti, Galindo, Vander; Algaranaz, Ovejero

Internacional possible starting lineup:
Lomba; Heitor, Cuesta, Gabriel, Borges; Patrick, Praxedes, Edenilson; Mauricio, Alberto, Pato

We say: Always Ready 0-3 Internacional

While Always Ready will come into this game with plenty of desire, given their lengthy absence from the Copa Libertadores, we see the Brazilian side being a class above their opponents.

Their experience at this level could prove key, as the visitors look to kickstart their bid for the trophy with a victory on Tuesday.