After topping their group, Santos will head into the Copa Sudamericana round of 16 with a first-leg tie against Deportivo Tachira on Thursday.
The travelling Venezuelan side just missed out on a place in the Copa Libertadores round of 16 and now find themselves fighting with the Brazilian giants in South America's secondary competition.
Match preview
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Deportivo Tachira finished second in the Venezuelan top flight last season, earning entry into the group stage of South America's premier competition as a result, and they had to endure a tough start, suffering a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Palmeiras in the opening game.
Two victories from their next four games did keep them in the fight, with the Aurinegro even sat second heading into the final game after a 3-0 beating of Independiente Petrolero, as Robert Hernandez hit a first-half brace before Renny Simisterra added a third in injury time.
In order to confirm second place and a spot in the final 16, the Venezuelans had to get a result in the reverse fixture against Brazilian giants Palmeiras, but they were unable to do so as another thrashing followed, with a Gustavo Scarpa hat-trick and a Rony goal condemning them to a defeat and Jean Gutierrez's goal not enough to inspire a turnaround.
As a result, with Emelec winning their last game, the Aurinegro dropped into third place and find themselves battling in the Copa Sudamericana as a result, and, after a 3-0 defeat saw them remain fourth in the Venezuelan top flight, Deportivo Tachira will be keen to return to form on home turf on Thursday.
They will host a Santos side looking to continue their run in this competition after progressing through the group in top spot.
After a 10th-placed finish in the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A last season, Santos headed into the Copa Sudamericana group stage, and they did not get off to the best start as an opening-day clash with Banfield ended in a 1-0 defeat.
They bounced back with a win over Universidad Catolica and a draw against Union La Calera, before completing a double over the former with a 1-0 victory away from home.
The Peixe then squared off with Union La Calera on home turf in a crucial encounter, and they strengthened their place at the top of the group with another 1-0 win thanks to Lucas Barbosa's goal in the 12th minute of added time at the end of the contest, before confirming their advancement with a 1-1 draw against Banfield.
Since that progression, Fabian Bustos's side have had a mixed run of form in the Brazilian top flight, going unbeaten in the last six games to climb to seventh spot, albeit with only one of those being a victory, while also suffering a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Corinthians in the first leg of their Copa do Brasil round-of-16 tie.
They will now aim to establish a lead in the continental competition on Thursday before welcoming the Aurinegro to Brazil next week to boost their chances of reaching the final eight.
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Team News
After being dropped to the bench for their final Copa Libertadores group game, Anthony Uribe should lead the line for Deportivo Tachira from the outset on Thursday, having netted seven goals in all competitions so far this season.
Robert Hernandez is another attacking threat and will likely operate on the left flank, with Yerson Chacon on the opposite wing.
Maurice Cova and Francisco Flores played every minute in the group stage and will again partner up in the engine room.
Santos' star man this season has arguably been 19-year-old forward Marcos Leonardo, who has netted six goals in 13 appearances across Brasileiro and Copa Sudamericana action.
He should again spearhead the attack with support from Leo Baptistao, who has established himself in a slightly deeper role in Bustos's 4-2-3-1 system, while Lucas Braga remains a threat on the wing despite his slow start to the campaign.
Elsewhere, Eduardo Bauermann has been a relative fixture at the heart of the defence since his move from America Mineiro, with Emiliano Velazquez likely partnering the 26-year-old.
Deportivo Tachira possible starting lineup:
Varela; Camacho, Gutierrez, Marrufo, Benitez; Chacon, Flores, Cova, Hernandez; Simisterra, Uribe
Santos possible starting lineup:
John; Auro, Velazquez, Bauermann, Jonatan; Camacho, Fernandez; Braga, Baptistao, Gabriel; Leonardo
We say: Deportivo Tachira 0-1 Santos
While Deportivo Tachira did fight well in South America's top competition, we see the travelling Brazilian outfit as the stronger side and back them to pick up a narrow win before the home leg.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Sam Varley
