Both looking to squeeze into the knockout rounds of the competition, LDU Quito and Central Cordoba clash at Estadio Rodrigo Paz Delgado in the Copa Libertadores on Wednesday night.
La Casa Blanca have suffered a difficult period on the domestic front of late, whilst El Ferroviario are set to defy pre-season expectations.
Match preview
© Imago
After enjoying a six-game unbeaten run from the middle of April to the middle of May, LDU Quito have endured somewhat of a tricky patch across all competitions, collecting just a single point across matches in the Ecuadorian Serie A and the group stage of the Copa Libertadores.
La Casa Blanca were last in action on the domestic scene on Saturday afternoon, when goals from Mauro Diaz and Jose Fajardo helped Universidad Catolica to a 3-1 win on home soil in the top flight, despite Michael Estrada equalising momentarily for the visitors during the second half.
There was also the taste of defeat for LDU Quito during their most recent contest in the Copa Libertadores on May 16, when strikes from Leo Ortiz and Luiz Araujo sealed a 2-0 success for Brazilian giants Flamengo in front of over 65,000 supporters at the Maracana Stadium.
Despite losing just one of their opening five matches of the section, La Casa Blanca are sitting outside of the top-two spots in Group C with a single matchday remaining, three points behind Central Cordoba in first and level on points with the aforementioned Flamengo in second.
On the contrary, Central Cordoba are one of four teams who still have their unbeaten record in the group stage intact, with the Argentinian outfit winning three and drawing two of their first five matches in this year's competition, collecting a commendable 11 points.
Both of El Ferroviario's most recent matches have arrived in the Copa Libertadores from which they have earned a solid four points, drawing at home to Flamengo on May 8 before easing the past the attentions of Group C whipping boys Deportivo Tachira in Venezuela on May 13.
It appeared as if Central Cordoba would be forced to share the spoils last time out when Bryan Castillo found an equaliser for the struggling hosts after Jonathan Galvan's opener, but the visitors snatched all three points in the end courtesy of a Gaston Veron winner.
This year's Copa Libertadores has been a welcome distraction from the stresses of domestic life, with El Ferroviario currently in the midst of a five-game losing streak in the top flight of Argentina.
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Team News
LDU Quito are unable to call upon the services of Carlos Gruezo, who picked up a suspension-inducing yellow card during the defeat at Flamengo last time out in this competition.
Scoring four of his side's five goals in the group stage to date, lethal marksman Alex Arce is likely to retain his spot in attack for the hosts.
Central Cordoba have a long-term absentee in their ranks in the form of Lucas Varaldo, who is targeting an early August return from a knee injury.
There are also fitness problems for El Ferroviario to fight against at the other end of the pitch, with Ivan Pillud picking up a muscle issue in April.
LDU Quito possible starting lineup:
Valle; De la Cruz, Minda, Ade, Allala, Quinonez; Diaz, Cornejo, Alvarado; Alzugaray, Arce
Central Cordoba possible starting lineup:
Aguerre; Moyano, Abascia, Rivero, Cufre; Galvan, Perello, Barrera, Florentin, Angulo; Veron
We say: LDU Quito 2-0 Central Cordoba
With Flamengo likely to beat Tachira with ease, LDU Quito need a convincing success over Central Cordoba to have a chance of reaching the knockout stages.
We feel that the hosts will get the job done in Ecuador on Wednesday night, when El Ferroviario could suffer their first defeat of the competition.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Carter White
