Preview: Athletico Paranaense vs. America de Cali - prediction, team news, lineups

Athletico Paranaense play host to America de Cali in the second leg of their Copa Sudamericana last-16 tie on Tuesday evening.

The home side have the edge heading into the game at Arena da Baixada having prevailed by a 1-0 scoreline in the reverse fixture.

Match preview

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Despite having had to settle for a place in the Copa Sudamericana, Athletico will want to take advantage of competing in South America's secondary competition.

They cruised through the group stages, wining five of their six fixtures for the loss of just one goal, and they are now in a strong position to progress further in the tournament.

Nikao's 73rd-minute penalty proved to be the difference on Wednesday, handing Antonio Oliveira's side every opportunity of booking a place in the quarter-finals.

Nevertheless, losing two of their last three games in Brazil's top flight has resulted in Athletico dropping down to fifth spot, a reality check during an important stage of the season.

The clean sheet in the first leg represents Athletico's only shutout in nine matches in all competitions, a period lasting since June 20.

America de Cali were somewhat fortunate to find themselves demoted into this competition after winning just one of their six matches during the Copa Libertadores group stages.

Each of their four points came from the double-header versus bottom-placed Deportivo La Guaira, a return which proved enough to secure a showdown with Athletico.

Despite suffering defeat in the opening game, Juan Carlos Osorio will feel that his group of players could relish the opportunity to play with a sense of freedom as underdogs.

While they have prevailed in just two of their last 10 contests, they opened their Colombian Premier League campaign with a 3-1 triumph over Junior on Saturday.

Team News

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Barring any late fitness issues, Oliveira could name the same Athletico side which started last week's first leg.

The most likely alteration could involve Marcinho, who was introduced as a half-time substitute for right wing-back Khellvan.

While America de Cali lined up with a 4-4-2 formation at home, Osorio will consider a change in tactics for this contest.

Emerson Batalla could be introduced on the right flank with veteran forward Adrian Ramos potentially dropping down to the substitutes' bench.

That would allow attack-minded defender Cristian Arrieta to revert back to his normal position after featuring further forward last week.

Athletico Paranaense possible starting lineup:
Bento; Henrique, Heleno, Ivaldo; Khellven, Cittadini, Richard, Nicolas; Nikao, Terans, Vitinho

America de Cali possible starting lineup:
Graterol; Arrieta, Torres, Ortiz, Quinones; Batalla, Paz, Urena, Moreno; Rodriguez, Cortes

We say: Athletico Paranaense 2-1 America de Cali

Facing a narrow deficit, you can expect the visitors to place more emphasis on attack rather than defence on Tuesday evening. Nevertheless, Athletico are the justified favourites to progress into the last eight, leading us to predict a second narrow win in succession.