Bragantino will be looking to preserve their first-placed standing in Group C of the Copa Sudamericana when they welcome Tacuary to Estadio Nabi Abi Chedid on Wednesday night.

The hosts are currently unbeaten in the section and have secured their spot in the knockout stages, while their Paraguayan visitors already know their journey in the competition will come to an end in Sao Paulo.

Match preview

Bragantino extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to four matches on the weekend by beating strugglers Goias 2-0 on home soil, with Eduardo Sasha and Sorriso netting before the half-time interval.

The team's current spell without tasting defeat commenced with a 1-1 draw in the Sudamericana against Argentinian rivals Estudiantes on June 8, and Ramires's penalty in the first half would have been enough for a maximum if Benjamin Rollheiser did not convert his 66th-minute penalty.

Pedro Caixinha's men are currently top of Group C with just a single game remaining have collected a healthy 11 points from five matches, ahead of Estudiantes on goal difference.

Only Fortaleza (14) of Group H have netted more than Bragantino's 12 goals in the group stage so far, meaning Tacuary will have quite the job on their hands in keeping the likes of Vitinho and Thiago Borbas at bay.

Bragantino have been in convincing form at their Sao Paulo home in recent matches, with Caixinha's charges currently six games unbeaten at Estadio Nabi Abi Chedid.

Tacuary know they are unable to qualify for the knockout stages after only managing to beat whipping boys Oriente Petrolero in this year's competition, meaning they sit five points behind second-placed Estudiantes with a game to go.

The Paraguayans have been enduring some inconsistencies this month, losing 2-0 to Nacional but most recently drawing against Cerro Porteno in Division Profesional.

Edson Carius and Ronal Dominguez were on target for Humberto Ovelar's men either side of the half-time interval but were unable to hold on to their lead on both occasions, ultimately having to settle for a share of the spoils.

Tacuary have struggled defensively overall this term and particularly in the Sudamericana - the Paraguayans have been unable to record a clean sheet in any of their last eight matches.

Team News

Bragantino will be without the services of Luan Candido on Wednesday evening as the left-back continues to recover from a broken leg suffered in March, with the 22-year-old targeting a return to action next month.

A longer-term absentee for the hosts is centre-back Lucas Cunha - the former Gil Vicente man is fighting to be back before the end of the campaign after picking up a cruciate ligament injury.

The sprained knee of Helio Junio is set to keep him out of action until next month, meaning he will not add to his three Sudamericana appearances so far this term on Wednesday night.

Tacuary will be hoping Martin Nunez and Valdeci can come up with the goalscoring goods in Sao Paulo against their Brazilian hosts - both players were on the scoresheet in their side's most recent Sudamericana success over Oriente earlier this month.

Bragantino possible starting lineup:
Schwengber; Santos, Patrick, Capixaba; Jadsom, Fernandes, Evangelista, Ramires; Sorriso, Sasha, Vitinho

Tacuary possible starting lineup:
Huesca; Cabral; E Benitez, Ribeiro, Arguello; Ayala, Romero; M Benitez, Medina, Valdeci; Nunez

We say: Bragantino 2-0 Tacuary

Bragantino are already assured of a spot in the knockout stages, but they will be determined to finish top of the pile in Group C ahead of Estudiantes.

Tacuary will look to end their Sudamericana campaign with a shock result on Wednesday, although we believe the Paraguayans will come away from Sao Paulo empty handed.


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