After both sides cruised through to the quarter-finals in style last month, an all-Brazilian affair between Sao Paulo and Ceara will decide one of the places in the Copa Sudamericana's final four.
Ahead of Wednesday's first leg at Morumbi, the hosts have won just one of seven games since crushing Universidad Catolica, while their visitors from Fortaleza arrive on the back of successive defeats.
Match preview
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Having seen an unbeaten run of six league outings ended on Sunday, Sao Paulo prepare for one of the biggest matches of their season in worrying form, due to an inability to turn draws into wins.
Following four straight ties in the Campeonato Brasileiro - both scoring and conceding eight times in the process - the Tricolor Paulista were beaten 1-0 by Athletico Paranaense at the weekend, despite dominating possession.
Sao Paulo sit 10th, now eight points outside the top four in the Serie A standings, and are only six points clear of the relegation zone with half of the 2022 season already completed.
Though they have suffered just four league defeats, a tally of 11 draws has undermined their progress this term, and club legend Rogerio Ceni will be hoping a return to continental competition can help his charges press the reset button this week.
Ten years ago, the goalscoring goalkeeper played a major part in Sao Paulo's last Copa Sudamericana success, conceding only twice in eight games en route to the title. As manager, the former Brazil stopper has set his side on course for a repeat of such feats, seeing them score at least twice in six of their eight fixtures so far.
Not only that, but including an 8-3 aggregate victory over Catolica in the previous round - achieved despite being reduced to eight men in the first leg - they have trailed for just three minutes throughout the entire competition.
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While a less prestigious name in the Brazilian hierarchy, Ceara will tackle their quarter-final tie with one of South America's established giants as the more in-form side, despite two league losses of late.
The Alvinegro swept through the Copa Sudamericana group stage with a perfect record - comprising six wins from six; racking up 17 goals and conceding only once - and have won three of their last five outings in all competitions.
After a shock defeat to lowly Juventude, the Fortaleza club were beaten 2-1 by Brasilero leaders Palmeiras on Saturday, having seen midfield mainstay Richardson sent off with 40 minutes still to play.
Nevertheless, Ceara are now returning to a tournament in which they have won eight consecutive matches, following victories home and away against The Strongest in the last 16.
Despite occupying only 14th spot in the domestic standings, the side overseen by Marquinhos Santos also put together a spell of just one loss in 16 games earlier this season, so will surely back themselves to at least repeat the 2-2 draw they managed in May, when they last met Sao Paulo at Morumbi.
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Team News
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Sao Paulo boss Rogerio Ceni will be spared a selection headache on Wednesday, due to a series of returns from suspension, as Rodrigo Nestor, Igor Vinicius and Argentinian striker Jonathan Calleri are all back from bans after seeing red in Santiago.
In addition, both Luizao and Luciano are set to serve domestic suspensions after receiving bookings in Sunday's 1-0 loss to Athletico Paranaense, but will be available in midweek.
The latter is the Tricolor's top scorer in the competition so far, with four goals, and will battle it out for a start up front with several other attacking options, including teenage talent Rodriguinho, ex-Italy international Eder, Nikao and Calleri. Alisson is also expected to complete his recovery from a knee injury and could feature at some stage.
Meanwhile, Ceara's squad has been bolstered ahead of the quarter-final, as Victor Luis returns from injury, and new signings Jhon Vasquez and Diego Rigonato are both in contention, having made their league debuts in the defeat to Juventude.
However, Marquinhos Santos will be without leading Copa Sudamericana scorer Erick (three goals) and former Shakhtar Donetsk striker Dentinho due to injury, but another newcomer, Guilherme Castilho, is available after becoming the most expensive buy in the club's history.
Sao Paulo possible starting lineup:
Thiago; Vinicius, Miranda, Luizao, Welington; Gomes, Nestor, Maia, Guilherme; Luciano, Calleri
Ceara possible starting lineup:
Ricardo; Paraiba, Messias, Lacerda, Pacheco; Castilho, Lindoso; Mendoza, Lima, Vina; Cleber
We say: Sao Paulo 1-1 Ceara
Ceara's flawless record is on the line in Sao Paulo, and they are likely to defend it with tooth and claw, so an all-too-familiar draw could be on the cards for both sides in this first-leg encounter.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Jonathan O'Shea
