LDU Quito will be aiming to hold onto their 1-0 lead against Nublense when the two sides meet in the second leg of their Copa Sudamericana last-16 clash on Friday.
The Ecuadorians secured an impressive victory in Chile last week, making them overwhelming favourites to advance to the quarter-finals.
Match preview
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Indeed, LDU Quito were richly deserved winners from last week's first leg at Estadio Municipal Nelson Oyarzun Arenas, with Paolo Guerrero's strike on the hour ultimately proving the difference between the two sides.
Luis Zubeldia's side dominated the encounter in terms of tangible efforts on goal, having 16 shots to the hosts' eight, landing four of those on target - including Guerrero's goal - with LDU Quito's goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez untested across the course of the encounter.
LDU Quito do carry significant pedigree in continental competitions after winning the Copa Libertadores in 2008 and the Copa Sudamericana one season later, before finishing as runners-up in this tournament in 2011.
However, they have only lifted one domestic title in the last 13 years, a record which they will hope to improve ahead of the second stage of the Ecuadorian Serie A beginning next week. In the meantime, though, they will expect to keep their hopes of winning the Copa Sudamericana for the second time in their history alive for another round.
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Nublense, meanwhile, have it all to do if they are to make it through to the quarter-finals of the Copa Sudamericana for the first time in their history.
Diablos Rojos have already advanced further than in their previous two appearances in South America's secondary competition, when they were knocked out at the group stage on both occasions.
Head coach Jaime Garcia has already cemented himself as a legend at the club after guiding Nublense to their best ever finish when coming second in the Chilean Primera Division last season, but they have found life much tougher this time around, with only six wins from 20 matches seeing them lie in 12th position.
As such, they will harbour some fears of being relegated between now and the end of the season, making Friday's trip to Ecuador's capital something of a free hit for them after their disappointing result in Chillan last week.
Team News
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Having performed so well during their victory in last week's first leg, it would be somewhat surprising if Zubeldia made any changes to his starting XI.
The 42-year-old appears to have a clean bill of health at his disposal, with Guerrero set to lead the hosts' line after making himself the hero last time out.
Nublense, on the other hand, could freshen things up after failing to create tangible chances against their opponents, with Alex Valdes likely to start after only being used from the bench during his side's first leg defeat.
Bayron Oyarzo also provides an option to come into the visitors' attack on the opposite flank, although Garcia may not want to make too many changes and risk unsettling his squad.
LDU Quito possible starting lineup:
Dominguez; Quinteros, Caicedo, Ade, Quinonez; Ibarra, Martinez, Piovi, Alvarado; Guerrero, Baquero
Nublense possible starting lineup:
Perez; Cerezo, Caroca, Salazar; Oyarzo, Campusano, Reyes, Dittborn, Valdes; Sosa, Rubio
We say: LDU Quito 2-0 Nublense
LDU Quito were comfortably the superior side across the first leg in Chile last week, so we do not see why things would be any different when they have home advantage on their side.
As such, we expect the 2009 winners to comfortably seal their place in the last eight of the Copa Sudamericana.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
