LDU Quito will aim to complete an unbeaten Copa Sudamericana group-stage campaign when they entertain Cesar Vallejo at La Casa Blanca on Thursday.
Sitting second in Group A, the hosts are guaranteed to join Brazilian side Botafogo in the knockout phase, while the visitors have already been eliminated.
Match preview
LDU Quito head into the final round of Copa Sudamericana group matches on an 11-game unbeaten streak across all competitions, having picked up four wins and seven draws since their last loss.
Following a 2-2 stalemate with Mushuc Runa at the weekend, the Ecuadorian outfit have drawn each of their previous three clashes, but they could – and probably should – have claimed all three points last time out.
Goals from Leonel Quinonez and Juan Luis Anangono gave LDU Quito a comfortable lead against Mushuc Runa, but the hosts pulled one back in the 87th minute before equalising in the 96th minute.
Still, LDU Quito will be hopeful of extending their unbeaten run when Cesar Vallejo visit Ecuador, as Los Blancos have won two and drawn three of their Copa Sudamericana clashes this year, keeping three clean sheets for good measure.
It is also worth pointing out that only two teams – Sao Paulo and Estudiantes – have conceded fewer Sudamericana goals than LDU Quito's two, giving Luis Zubeldia's side one of the best defensive records in the competition.
By contrast, Cesar Vallejo possess one of the worst defensive records in the Copa Sudamericana this year, having conceded 13 goals across their five group games.
In fact, only three teams have conceded more goals than Los Poetas in 2023, while only six sides have collected fewer points than the Peruvian outfit, making it easy to understand why Cesar Vallejo have already been eliminated from the tournament.
Sebastian Abreu's men took a solitary point from their opening four Sudamericana clashes, suffering a 2-1 defeat to LDU Quito in their opening match before holding Chilean side Magallanes to a 2-2 draw in their third outing.
Although the Peruvians picked up their first continental victory of the year earlier this month – defeating Magallanes 3-2 – they remain five points outside the qualification places in Group A with one match remaining.
Cesar Vallejo head into Thursday's clash on the back of a 2-0 defeat to Sport Huancayo in the Peruvian top flight, meaning that Arbeu's men have lost each of their previous two games.
Team News
Having racked up 10 goals and five assists in 21 matches across all competitions this year, LDU Quito playmaker Alexander Alvarado will fancy his chances of exploiting Cesar Vallejo's leaky backline.
With Jose Enrique Angulo expected to lead the line for the hosts on Thursday, Alvarado will likely operate behind the lone striker, alongside Jhojan Julio and Renato Ibarra.
On the flip side, Cesar Vallejo will be without the injured trio of Beto da Silva, Facundo Rodriguez and Jersson Vasquez for their final Sudamericana game of the season.
Top scorer Yorleys Mena has bagged 15 goals and three assists across all competitions this year, including three goals and one assist in the Sudamericana, while Jairo Velez has chipped in with three goals and six assists.
LDU Quito possible starting lineup:
Gabbarini; Quinteros, Mina, Rodriguez, Quinonez; Piovi, Martinez; Ibarra, Julio, Alvarado; Angulo
Cesar Vallejo possible starting lineup:
Rabines; Villacorta, Ascues, Garces, Lujan; Fuentes, Quinteros; Anagua, Velez, Ramirez; Mena
We say: LDU Quito 2-0 Cesar Vallejo
Given that LDU Quito remain unbeaten in the Copa Sudamericana this year, we expect to hosts to cruise to a comfortable victory over Cesar Vallejo, who have one of the worst defensive records in the competition.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
