Bragantino host America Mineiro in the second leg of their all-Brazilian Copa Sudamericana last 16 matchup on Thursday night.

The tie still hangs in the balance after a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Belo Horizonte last week.

Match preview

There may have been slight disappointment in the Bragantino ranks at their failure to win in the first leg, but they are still well in the ascendancy.

A 1-0 win over Coritiba in the Brasileiro at the weekend means confidence should remain high in what has been a good run of form for Pedro Caixinha's men.

That success on the road secured a third-consecutive clean sheet domestically, and has maintained their battle for a Copa Libertadores spot.

Four teams now find themselves tied on 31 points between second and fifth in the Brasileiro, and Bragantino are arguably showing the best form out of all of them.

Botafogo are a long way clear at the top, but the other five Libertadores spots are still well up for grabs.

Bragantino's focus will now shift to continental matters though, and America Mineiro's very poor form of late means the hosts are favourites to progress.

Despite being at home in the first leg, America were the underdogs, so coming away with a draw appears to be a positive, given they are still in the tie.

However, they are very much up against it as another defeat at the weekend saw them drop to the foot of the standings in Brazil's top flight.

That 3-1 defeat at the hands of Bahia means no wins in eight for Vagner Mancini's side - five of which have been losses.

Gonzalo Mastriani has been the only bright spark for America of late, as his form since the start of July has been exceptional, despite his team's struggles.

In nine starts, Mastriani has netted seven goals, and after not starting in the first leg, came off the bench to find the all-important second-half equaliser.

Team News

Caixinha made just three changes to his Bragantino side for the trip to Coritiba at the weekend.

Leo Ortiz may well come back into their defence, while Thiago Borbas should also return to partner Eduardo Sasha in attack.

There are a fair number of absentees for the hosts though, with Lucas Cunha, Eduardo Santos and Eric Ramires among those on the sidelines.

Natan completed a move to Napoli earlier this week, so Luan Patrick may come in to replace him from the side that started the first leg.

Mastriani should start up front for America after only starting on the bench in the first leg.

Many changes are to be expected though, as Mancini often picks a virtually entirely different XI for games in this competition.

Only four players who started in the league fixture at Bahia over the weekend also started in the first leg last week.

Dada Belmonte, Ricardo Silva and Danilo Avelar remain the senior figures currently out with injury at the moment for the visitors.

Bragantino possible starting lineup:
Cleiton; Leo Ortiz, Luan Patrick, Juninho Capixaba; Hurtado, Lucas Evangelista, Matheus Fernandes, Gustavinho, Luan Candido; Borbas, Eduardo Sasha

America Mineiro possible starting lineup:
Matheus Pasinato; Lucas Kal, Eder Ferreira, Cesar; Rodriguinho, Mendez, Cascardo, Marlon; Juninho, Mastriani, Matheusinho

We say: Bragantino 2-0 America Mineiro (Bragantino win 3-1 on aggregate)

An in-form Bragantino side should have little stress in seeing off the side currently bottom of the Brasileiro and booking their place in the quarter-finals.

With America Mineiro's woeful form of late, a cup run may boost confidence but also be a distraction, and the flurry of changes expected means Mancini may be focusing on avoiding relegation.


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