The second semi-final of the Copa Sudamericana will see LDU Quito taking on Defensa y Justicia in the first of two legs at Estadio Rodrigo Paz Delgado on Thursday.
LDU Quito have reached the final of this competition twice in the past, winning once and losing once, while the visitors also have one title under their belt, which they earned by beating Lanus in the 2020 edition of the competition.
Match preview
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The hosts got through the group stages in pole position, earning 12 points in their six matches, with a record of three wins and three draws, while only conceding two goals in that time.
However, the knockout rounds proved much trickier as they drew 3-3 on aggregate with Nublense in the last 16 and 2-2 against Sao Paulo in the quarter-final, needing penalties to get past both opponents.
LDU Quito secured a 1-0 win over Orense last weekend, which saw them regain the lead in LigaPro, currently on 14 points after seven matches with a record of four wins, two draws and just one loss.
In addition, Luis Zubeldia's side have an excellent record on their home patch, where they are on a three-match winning streak and have not lost in their last 13, dating back to mid-April.
Notably, the Merengues were drawn against this opponent in the group stages of last year's competition and were unbeaten, taking four points in their two matches, which will give them huge confidence heading into this encounter.
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Meanwhile, Defensa y Justicia made a very poor start to this competition as they suffered a 3-0 loss to Millonarios in their opening match, but they were flawless in their next five group-stage matches and ended up topping the group.
In contrast to their opponents, the Hawk's knockout-stage games were more straightforward as they downed Emelec 3-1 and followed up with a 3-2 aggregate win over Brasileiro leaders Botafogo thanks to a brace from Nicolas Fernandez in the second leg.
Julio Vaccari's side come into this match following their first loss of the second phase in the Primera Division, beaten by Central Cordoba SdE 2-1, which leaves them in third place with nine points after six matches.
The visitors have now failed to win any of their last four away games in all competitions in regulation time and are massive underdogs in this contest, according to bookmakers.
Team News
Alexander Alvarado was shown a red card in the quarter-final against Sao Paulo and will have to sit this match out, which should see Jhojan Julio and Renato Ibarra start in attacking midfield.
Jose Angulo took his chance when handed a start last weekend against Orense by scoring the winner, and he will hope to hear his name called in the starting 11, although the manager may opt for the tried and tested veteran Paolo Guerrero to lead the line.
For the visitors, Kevin Gutierrez has been out since the start of September with a knee injury and is only expected to return in a few weeks.
Fernandez scored a brace in the last round of this competition, which took his tally to eight, and he will be looking to bag the top-scorer award as he is just one behind Gonzalo Mastriani, who was knocked out of the competition with America Mineiro in the quarter-final.
LDU Quito possible starting lineup:
Dominguez; Padilla, Ade, Rodriguez, Quinonez; Martinez, Piovi, Ibarra, Julio, Baquero; Guerrero
Defensa y Justicia possible starting lineup:
Bologna; Sant'Anna, Malatini, Cardona, Soto; Tripichio, Gutierrez, Togni, Lopez, Barbona; Fernandez
We say: LDU Quito 1-1 Defensa y Justicia
While the visitors' record has been nothing special of late, they have looked like a different team in this competition. Based on form, LDU Quito should win this match, but we are backing Defensa y Justicia to to keep this one level heading into the second leg.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
