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Sports Mole previews Friday's Copa Sudamericana clash between Atletico Mineiro and Atletico Bucaramanga, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Atletico Mineiro welcome Atletico Bucaramanga to the Arena MRV, aiming to preserve their first-leg advantage in the Copa Sudamericana knockout round playoffs on Thursday night.

Alexi Stival's team secured a narrow 1-0 victory in the reverse fixture in Colombia, and they will seek to prevent any comeback attempt from the Leopards to ensure a place in the tournament’s last 16, where Argentine club Huracan await. 

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Match preview

Heading into Thursday’s meeting with Bucaramanga, Galo are clear favourites to advance, not only because of last week’s 1-0 victory in Colombia but also due to their unbeaten streak in Belo Horizonte.

In the Copa Sudamericana group stage, none of their three opponents managed to find solutions against Cuca’s team's attacking flair, which produced eight goals in 270 minutes of play.

Seven points from nine at home might have seen Atletico Mineiro qualify as Group H winners in normal circumstances.

However, their inability to secure any away wins in three attempts undermined those hopes, requiring the Brazilian side to go through a playoff to reach the tournament's last 16. 

Although Rooster have lost two of their last three matches across all competitions and two consecutively in their domestic league, neither defeat — against Bahia (2-1) nor Palmeiras (3-2) — was without effort, and their fighting spirit, combined with their penchant for scoring, means Bucaramanga face a tough challenge to progress.

The Colombian club’s first Copa Libertadores appearance since 1998 did not go smoothly, as they exited in the group stage after only one victory from six games.

However, Leonel Alvarez’s team were not disgraced in the continental competition, earning six points in a competitive Group E, which saw Colo Colo exit with five points.

Losing at home to Galo last week continued an unwanted record of failing to secure a continental win in all four matches, with one group stage defeat, two draws and another loss to Atletico Mineiro after Hulk’s 68th-minute penalty proved decisive for the 10-man Brazilian club.

That defeat was Bucaramanga’s first in five games across all competitions, having recorded three wins and two draws before failing to score against Atletico-MG.

It also marked the first time that Leopardos had been goalless in five matches, and the Colombian side aim to return to scoring form to overturn a disappointing defeat and reach the last 16.

Atletico Mineiro Copa Sudamericana form:

Atletico Mineiro form (all competitions):

Atletico Bucaramanga Copa Sudamericana form:

Atletico Bucaramanga form (all competitions):

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Team News

Alan Franco is suspended for Atletico Mineiro following last week's dismissal, while Cadu, Patrick Silva and Tomas Cuello are absent due to injury.

Rony and Hulk have both scored two goals in the Copa Sudamericana, and they aim to make decisive contributions on Thursday.

Although Bucaramanga have no reported injury issues, Bayron Duarte was sent off late in last week's match and will miss the return fixture in Belo Horizonte.

While Luciano Pons failed to score against Atletico-MG last week, the experienced striker leads the Leopards' continental scoring with four goals, making him the team's most likely threat to overturn the loss.

Atletico Mineiro possible starting lineup:

Everson; Natanael, Lyanco, Alonso, Arana; Menino, Gomes, Scarpa; Rony, Gulk, Dudu

Atletico Bucaramanga possible starting lineup:

Quintana; Romana, Henao, Mena, Hinestroza; Castro, Zarate; Gil, Sambueza, Londono; Pons

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We say: Atletico Mineiro 2-1 Atletico Bucaramanga (Atletico Mineiro to win 3-1 on aggregate)

 

Although only one goal separates both teams, it is difficult to see Bucaramanga overturning last week’s advantage, especially considering that Atléticoo Mineiro will be playing in Belo Horizonte, where they have averaged 2.67 goals on the continent. 

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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