Tigre will be looking to book their place in the knockout stages of the Copa Sudamericana when they host Academia Puerto Cabello at Estadio Jose Dellagiovanna on Tuesday evening.

The hosts are struggling domestically but have a good chance of progressing in continental competition, while Puerto Cabello are leading the way in Venezuela.

Match preview

Tigre's winless run in all competitions extended to six matches last time out with a 3-1 loss at home to high-flying Talleres in the Primera Division.

A goal just before the half-time break from Abel Luciatti levelled the scores following Michael Santos's opener for the second-placed visitors, but a late brace from Nahuel Bustos took all of the points away from Tigre.

Diego Martinez's men now return to Sudamericana action - a competition in which they are unbeaten in during their last three contests, with the most recent match ending in a share of the spoils with Tolima of Colombia.

Tigre will secure their passage into the next round of the competition if they are able to better Tolima's result in this week's round of fixtures - the Colombians face a tough test against Brazilian giants Sao Paulo.

Academia Puerto Cabello know their spell in the Sudamericana is coming to an end after four losses in their opening quartet of group matches means they are now unable to finish inside the top two of the section.

The Venezuelans won both of their domestic league games in May but struggled to translate that form into the Sudamericana, losing 2-0 to Sao Paulo and 3-0 to Tuesday's opponents Tigre in the reverse fixture.

Cabello have failed to score in any of their matches so far, with talisman Luifer Hernandez unable to take his good form in Venezuela onto the continental stage for all of South America to see.

Noel Sanvicente's charges are nine points clear of Deportivo Tachira in the Venezuelan Primera Division after 14 matches - Cabello will be targeting a spot in Copa Libertadores next term.