Preview: Ceara vs. The Strongest - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts hold a slender lead ahead of Wednesday's contest after winning 2-1 in Bolivia last week.

Match preview

Ceara won every group stage match to book their place in the knockout rounds of the Copa Sudamericana.

The Brazilian side scored 17 goals and conceded only once as they dominated their group to set up a last 16 tie with The Strongest.

Their winning run in the competition looked set to end in the first leg after Luciano Ursino gave The Strongest an early lead in the fifth minute, however, Erick restored parity in the second half before Ze Roberto grabbed a dramatic winner in the third minute of stoppage time.

Ceara followed that result with a 1-1 Brasileiro draw against Internacional, ensuring they have lost just one of their last 16 games in all competitions.

Although they will be aiming for an eighth consecutive victory in the Copa Sudamericana, Ceara will be fully aware that a draw will be enough to secure their passage to the quarter finals.

Meanwhile, The Strongest dropped down to the Copa Sudamericana after finishing third in their Copa Libertadores group.

While they collected five points from their home group games, The Strongest's three away games yielded just one point.

As a result of their poor away form, the Bolivian side had to settle for third place, finishing the group phase behind Atletic Paranaense and Libertad.

Their first game in the Copa Sudamericana since August 2013 resulted in a 2-1 defeat and after losing 3-0 to Oriente Petrolero in their domestic league at the weekend, The Strongest enter Wednesday's contest off the back of three consecutive defeats.

A run of three wins from their previous 11 away games in all competitions will also be a cause for concern ahead of the second leg.

Ceara Copa Sudamericana form:

Ceara form (all competitions):

The Strongest Copa Sudamericana form:

The Strongest form (all competitions):

Team News

The hosts are expected to be without the services of Rodrigo Lindoso due to an injury issue that has kept him out of the last three games.

Erick is also unavailable after the forward underwent surgery for an injury that forced him off in Saturday's league encounter against Internacional.

Lucas Ribeiro, Bruno Pacheco, Cleber and Joao Ricardo have all missed the last two games due to COVID-19, but the quartet could feature in the squad on Wednesday.

As for the visitors, Juan Aponte will be included in the starting lineup after being suspended for the first leg.

Gonzalo Castillo has started the last two matches for The Strongest, and he is expected to partner Adrian Jusino in the centre of defence on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Enrique Triverio will be looking to add to the six goals he has scored this season when he leads the line against Ceara.

Ceara possible starting lineup:

Ricardo; Paraiba, Messias, Otavio, Pacheco; Geovane, Richardson, Sobral; Lima, Castilho; Cleber

The Strongest possible starting lineup:

Viscarra; Torres, Castillo, Jusino, Aponte; Saucedo, Ursino; Vaca, Arrascaita, Esparza; Triverio

We say: Ceara 2-1 The Strongest

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