In their final game of the group stage of the Copa Libertadores, hosts Independiente del Valle will welcome Barcelona SC to Estadio Banco Guayaquil on Wednesday.
The Black and Blues are second last in third place with five points from five matches, while the visitors are fourth with four points following their 1-0 loss against Universitario de Deportes on May 15, and both sides must win to have hope of advancing to the round of 16.
Match preview
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Independiente del Valle suffered a damaging 6-2 loss against group leaders and Argentinian giants River Plate on May 16, a game in which they led 2-1 by the 21st minute but trailed 3-2 and were reduced to 10 men before the end of the first half.
The hosts have the worst defensive record of any team in their group – 10 goals conceded – and their goal difference of minus four is also the worst.
Boss Javier Rabanal will know that anything other than a victory will see his side crash out of the competition given Universitario de Deportes are second with seven points and have a goal difference of 0.
The Black and Blues have struggled in the Copa Libertadores for some time, losing six, drawing four and winning just three of their last 13 in the tournament.
To their credit, Independiente del Valle have triumphed in three of their past four in all competitions and have also achieved victory in seven of their last 10 Copa Libertadores outings at home.
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As for Barcelona SC, they had few opportunities of note during their loss against Universitario de Deportes, though Felipe Caicedo did squander two big chances in the 74th minute to level the match.
While the visitors have conceded half as many goals in their five group matches as their hosts – keeping two clean sheets – they only scored three times in that period.
Though head coach Segundo Castillo will aim to win for the second time this season against Independiente del Valle having won 1-0 earlier in the group stage on April 2, they need Universitario de Deportes to lose against River Plate on Wednesday and to overcome a goal difference deficit of two in order to advance.
Toreros have suffered three defeats in their past five – winning just once – and have lost three and drawn one of their past four in the Copa Libertadores.
Barcelona SC's record away from home in the competition is poor, with the club having been beaten in nine and settled for stalemates in seven of their 16 most recent fixtures on the road.
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Team News
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Considering Independiente del Valle centre-back Mateo Carabajal was sent off last time out, Luis Felipe Zarate will likely be partnered by Richard Schunke on Wednesday.
Jordy Alcivar and Juan Cazares are candidates to feature in a double pivot, while forwards Claudio Spinelli and Michael Hoyos are likely to be supported by wide players Jhegson Mendez and Patrik Mercado.
The visitors will be without defenders Alex Rangel and Mario Pineida, and their injuries could lead to the selection of Bryan Carabali, Xavier Arreaga, Gustavo Vallecilla and Anibal Chala in a back four.
With winger Joao Rojas only scheduled to return in early June, Barcelona SC may start Bryon Castillo, Brian Oyola and Janner Corozo in supportive roles behind Octavio Rivero.
Independiente del Valle possible starting lineup:
Villar; Santamaria, Zarate, Schunke, Loor; Mendez, Alcivar, Cazares, Mercado; Spinelli, Hoyos
Barcelona SC possible starting lineup:
Contreras; Carabali, Arreaga, Vallecilla, Chala; Almeida, Trindade; Castillo, Oyola, Corozo; Rivero
We say: Independiente del Valle 2-1 Barcelona SC
Independiente del Valle should be confident of keeping a clean sheet given their opponents have struggled in the final third.
Barcelona SC have rarely performed well away from home and have found positive results difficult to come by in recent weeks, and it is hard to see them avoiding defeat on Wednesday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
