Needing to avoid defeat to have any hope of finishing third in Group D, Alianza Lima will visit Estadio Tigo La Huerta on Tuesday, to battle Club Libertad in the final group fixture of the Copa Libertadores for both teams.
The Paraguayans are assured of a spot in the last 16 despite conceding a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Sao Paulo, while Alianza are below Talleres for third and a place in the Copa Sudamericana on goal difference after losing 2-0 to the Argentines the last time out.
Match preview
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For the first time in three years, Libertad will feature in the knockout stage of this competition, currently on eight points after five matchdays.
At the same time, they were minutes away from defeating Sao Paulo on matchday five which would have put them level on points with the Brazilians heading into this decisive encounter.
As things stand Sergio Aquino's men still have an outside chance of finishing first, though they would have to win this match, hope Sao Paulo lose and have a five-goal swing go their way.
Libertad head into this game on a three-match unbeaten run at home across all competitions but lost their previous Libertadores affair in Asuncion 2-0 to Sao Paulo.
In three of their five Libertadores group fixtures this year, the Paraguayans have scored first, going unbeaten when doing so and dropping points only once.
Four of their five meetings with Alianza in this competition have gone the way of Gumarelo, including a 1-0 triumph for them in Peru last month.
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Lima will exit the group stage of this tournament yet again, though there is still something they could salvage before their Libertadores campaign is done.
Nestor Gorosito's men can claim a spot in the Copa Sudamericana for the first time since 2016-17 with a better result than Talleres or a two-goal swing in their favour.
The 25-time Primera Division champions in Peru have won their last two domestic encounters, conceding just a single goal in both matches.
If the Peruvians win or draw on Tuesday, they will finish with their highest points total in the group phase of this competition since 2010 (12).
Alianza are winless in their three group fixtures this year when behind after 45 minutes, while their only victory came when they were ahead at the interval, defeating Talleres 3-2.
They have only won two matches in this competition on Paraguayan soil, with the last one coming in their previous visits to Asuncion in 2023 (2-1).
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Team News
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From matchday four to five of the Libertadores, we saw one change made to the Libertad starting 11, with Thomas Gutierrez replacing Nestor Gimenez at the centre-back position.
Gustavo Aguilar came on for Roque Santa Cruz in the second half against Sao Paulo, scoring their only goal less than 10 minutes after entering the match.
As for Alianza, Pablo Lavanderia missed their defeat against Talleres with a tendon rupture, Alan Cantero was sidelined due to a torn muscle and Jean Pierre Archimbaud was still recovering from a cracked bone.
Carlos Zambrano will not be available on Tuesday as the club vice-captain received two cautions the last time out and will be suspended for this fixture.
Club Libertad possible starting lineup:
Morinigo; Ramirez, Viera, Gutierrez, Espinoza; Lucena; Fernandez, Martinez, Sanabria, Fretes; Santa Cruz
Alianza Lima possible starting lineup:
Viscarra; Huaman, Velasquez, Noriega, Lagos; Gaibor, J. Castillo, D'Arrigo; E. Castillo, Guerrero, Quevedo
We say: Club Libertad 1-0 Alianza Lima
There are too many question marks surrounding the visitors, and we believe the Paraguayan's experience and strong defensive organisation at home will make the difference.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
