On Wednesday night, Ecuadorian club Barcelona SC will face Argentinian side Velez Sarsfield in the second leg of their Copa Libertadores last-16 encounter.
The visitors have a 1-0 lead against the hosts at the Estadio Monumental Banco Pichincha, and are looking to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 2012.
The Bullfighters bounced back from their setback last week with a 3-0 home victory over Macara in Ecuador's Serie A on Sunday. This triumph, however, was insufficient to see them end their Primera Etapa campaign on top, as Emerlec's win guaranteed that they remained in first place, with Bustos' side three points behind in second.
Barcelona SC, a two-time Copa Libertadores finalist in 1990 and 1998, comes into Wednesday's encounter having won all three of their home games this season. They won their group with an aggregate score of 8-1, defeating The Strongest, Boca Juniors, and Santos.
Velez showed no symptoms of rustiness in the first leg, despite not having played a competitive match in eight weeks. He neutralized any attacking danger that Barcelona SC presented.
Velez was knocked out of the Copa Libertadores in the round of 16 in both of their previous appearances, losing 2-1 to Newell's Old Boys in 2013 after leading 1-0 in the first leg, and 3-2 to Nacional in 2014.
Gabriel Marques, Dario Aimar, and Pedro Velasco of Barcelona SC are all still sidelined due to long-term injuries acquired earlier this year.
So far this season, Leonel Quinonez and Mario Pineida have alternated at left-back, and while the latter started the first leg, Quinonez might get the nod for Wednesday's encounter.
Barcelona SC possible starting lineup:
Burrai; Castillo, Leon, Riveros, Quinonez; Hoyos, Molina, Pinatares, Martinez; Diaz, Garces
Velez Sarsfield possible starting lineup:
Hoyos; Guidara, Giannetti, Abram, Ortega; Caseres, Mancuello; Centurion, Janson, Bouzat; Lucero
Prediction: predict under 3.5 goals in this match
Tip: 3.5 Under
