Melgar must ensure that they collect maximum points in the final group game of the Copa Sudamericana on Thursday, when they welcome Brazilian outfit Cuiaba to Peru.

The hosts currently sit second in Group B, three points behind leaders Racing Club, but could leapfrog the Argentinian side into top spot, if the other fixture in this group goes their way.

Match preview

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Nestor Lorenzo's side enter this match in good form, having lost just once in their last 10 games across all competitions, and they returned to winning ways last time out in the Liga 1 Apertura.

Melgar travelled to a struggling Ayacucho on Sunday, and as expected they dominated that match but had to rely on a single strike from Luis Iberico to seal a 1-0 win and maintain their position at the top of the table.

In their fifth outing in the Copa Sudamericana, Melgar failed to capitalise on their opportunity to leapfrog Racing Club ahead of the final round of fixtures, falling to a 1-0 defeat against the Argentinian club.

The hosts in that encounter were reduced to 10 players after goalkeeper Gaston Gomez was shown a straight red card 10 minutes before half time, but Melgar did not take advantage of their extra player and allowed Racing Club to still create as many chances as themselves.

Lorenzo's team will be keen to make sure that they collect three points on Thursday, as if River Plate can pull off a shock win against Racing Club, Melgar will qualify for the knockout stages and better their performance in this competition from last year.

Luiz Fernando Iubel's side are unable to progress further in this competition, having collected just six points from a possible 15 so far, and they come into this match in inconsistent form.

After a disappointing start to their domestic campaign, that has seemingly influenced Cuiaba's Copa Sudamericana performance, currently sitting 16th in the Brasileiro.

They did avoid defeat last time out in a 1-1 draw against Internacional, and that followed a 2-1 victory in Group B of this competition, with a brace from Andre Luis defeating bottom side River Plate.

This year was the first time since the 2015-16 campaign that Cuiaba have been involved in the Copa Sudamericana, therefore there was perhaps no expectation on the side to progress out of the group stages.

Cuiaba started this campaign well with a 2-0 win against Melgar in the opening round of group stage fixtures, courtesy of a brace from Elton, but Melgar are favourites for this tie having gained a foothold in this competition since then.

Team News

Melgar goalkeeper Carlos Caceda will continue to be unavailable for selection in this competition, after being shown a straight red card in gameweek four of this campaign, meaning that Jorge Cabezudo will continue between the posts.

Bernardo Cuesta will continue to lead the line for the hosts, looking for his fifth goal of this Copa Sudamericana campaign, with Iberico and Cristian Bordacahar providing an attacking threat from out wide.

Cuiaba are expected to be without Camilo and Elton for this outing, having both been ruled out due to injury, but there are no new injury or suspension concerns for Iubel.

Joao Lucas and Rafael Gava were both sent off last time out against Internacional, but they will serve their suspension in their domestic fixtures, meaning that they will be available for this outing.

The visitors will operate in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Jenison expected to lead the line, but Moreira Lucas provides competition in that position and is also in contention to start this week.

Melgar possible starting lineup:
Cabezudo; Reyna, Galeano, Deneumostier, Ramos; Guedes, Orzan, Arias; Iberico, Cuesta, Bordacahar

Cuiaba possible starting lineup:
Carlos; Uendel, Empereur, Marllon, Lucas; Osorio, Gava; Marques, Luis, Marquinhos; Jenison

We say: Melgar 1-0 Cuiaba

It seems unlikely that Racing Club will lose to River Plate in the other fixture in this group on Thursday, but Melgar will make sure that they do their part so they can capitalise on any potential slip-up from the leaders.

This encounter is likely to be a close affair, but Melgar are in better form overall which should give them the edge in this one, especially being on home soil also.

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

Written by
Sammy Wynne

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