Preview: Rentistas vs. Sao Paulo - prediction, team news, lineups

Rentistas host Brazilian outfit Sao Paulo on Wednesday in the Copa Libertadores, with the visitors aiming to keep in control of top spot in Group E.

The home side have not registered a victory in the opening three matches of this year's tournament, managing two draws and one loss.

Match preview

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Uruguayan side Rentistas played out a goalless draw last time out, when they picked up their second point of the Copa Libertadores campaign against bottom-placed Sporting Cristal.

Despite producing four shots on target in that game, the Rentistas attack could not find a way past Alejandro Duarte's goal, resulting in their second consecutive Copa Libertadores match without scoring.

Rentistas' only goal of the competition so far came in the opening gameweek when Salomon Rodriguez fired home against Racing Club, who equalised in the closing moments of that game after being reduced to 10 men eight minutes from time.

The only other game Martin Varini's side have played in this season's competition was on gameweek two against Wednesday's visitors, and Rentistas had to play most of the second half of that game with one less player as defender Agustin Acosta was shown two yellow cards.

Sao Paulo went on to claim all three points in that game with their opener coming from 28-year-old Pablo and left-back Reinaldo doubled the home side's lead from the penalty spot in stoppage time at the end of that tie.

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Two draws and one loss for Rentistas have left them five points behind Sao Paulo, who are unbeaten in Group E having recorded two wins and one draw at the halfway stage of the group phases.

Hernan Crespo's side faced Mirassol last time out in the Brazil State Championship, a league in which Sao Paulo currently sit at the summit of having only lost once in 12 matches played so far.

That game ended in a 1-1 draw after striker Vitor Bueno equalised for the league leaders midway through the first half, but Crespo would be left disappointed with just one point after his side dominated the chances in the game and registered nine shots on target.

Sao Paulo's goalkeeper Tiago Volpi is yet to concede a goal in the Copa Libertadores this season and his side have scored five goals in their opening three matches.

Team News

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Rentistas defender Acosta will be available for the game on Wednesday after serving his one-match ban for his sending-off against Sao Paulo in gameweek two. Varini changed the shape for the last game and attacker Leandro Paiva came into the side for the absent Acosta.

A first clean sheet in this season's Copa Libertadores for Nicolas Rossi last time out will be something that the goalkeeper will want to build upon against Sao Paulo, but forward players Facundo Peraza and Franco Perez will need better shooting boots on to fully capitalise on any clean sheet from their defence.

As for the visitors, William da Silva saw a straight red just eight minutes after being substituted onto the pitch against Racing Club last time out in the Copa Libertadores and he will serve his suspension on Wednesday.

Former Barcelona defender Dani Alves has been a key member of Crespo's side with his experience and quality, but he did leave the pitch against Racing Club with an injury so is a doubt for the Brazilian side.

Striker Luciano Neves also left the field in that game with an injury that looked serious as he could not walk off the pitch and needed the assistance of a medical vehicle.

Pablo, Bueno and Joao Rojas each have three goals to their name this season and will be looking to add to their stats on Wednesday, knowing that a win could potentially put their side five points clear of second-placed Racing Club.

Rentistas possible starting lineup:

Rossi; Morales, Sosa, Fratta, Rodales; Acosta, Cristobal, Garcia; Perez, Peraza, Urretaviscaya

Sao Paulo possible starting lineup:

Volpi; Bruno Alves, Miranda, Arboleda; Reinaldo, Lizeiro, Santos, Dani Alves; Benitez; Pablo, Bueno

We say: Rentistas 0-2 Sao Paulo

Sao Paulo are currently on a run of three consecutive draws in all competitions but they will take confidence from defeating Rentistas in gameweek two of the Copa Libertadores.

Rentistas are in need of a victory in this competition and so if they attack the game to chase a goal for themselves, they may leave gaps in their defence which their visitors could capitalise on.