Preview: Corinthians vs. Liverpool - prediction, team news, lineups

Both teams have already been eliminated from the Copa Libertadores, but which ever side finishes third in Group E will drop into the Copa Sudamericana.

Match preview

Having reached the quarter-finals of the Copa Libertadores last season, falling at the first hurdle represents a major disappointment for Corinthians.

However, they can have few complaints having gained just one point from their last four matches in the competition, with their 3-0 win away to Liverpool in Montevideo on the opening matchday not enough to keep themselves in with a chance of reaching the last-16.

As such, they must avoid defeat against the Uruguayans on Thursday in order to avoid dropping out of continental competition altogether, which Vanderlei Luxemburgo will be keen to ensure does not happen after enduring a difficult start in his role as the club's manager.

The former Real Madrid boss returned to Corinthians for his third spell in charge at the beginning of May, but only three wins from 14 games in all competitions has contributed to Time do Povo lying just one point above the Brasileiro's relegation zone.

However, they are through to the quarter-finals of the Copa do Brasil and would likely consider themselves in with a great chance of winning the Copa Sudamericana for the second time in the club's history, providing they can save at least some face by getting the job done on Thursday.

Liverpool, meanwhile, know that their inferior goal difference means they must return from Sao Paulo with all three points if they are to secure their place in the knockout stages of the Copa Sudamericana.

The Montevideo-based club, whose name paid homage to their English Premier League namesakes due to many cultural links between the two areas in the early 20th century, qualified for the group stage of the Copa Libertadores group stage for the first time in their history this season, after many near-misses in previous years.

Negriazules are a rising club having lifted their first ever top division Uruguayan title in 2019, but they have found the going a little too tough at this stage of their development, despite taking four points from four games against the already-qualified Argentinos Juniors and Independiente del Valle.

Domestically, Jorge Bava's side appear on course for another strong season as the only team with a 100% record from their opening three matches, but the 41-year-old - who is in his first role in management - would surely love for his players to be able to continue their continental journey, too.

Corinthians Copa Libertadores form:

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D

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Corinthians form (all competitions):

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D

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L

Liverpool Copa Libertadores form:

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L

D

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Liverpool form (all competitions):

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W

Team News

Corinthians have several players out through injury at present, including former Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Paulinho, who has been ruled out for the season due to a ruptured cruciate ligament.

Chrystian Barletta, Fausto Vera, Renato Augusto, Victor Cantillo and Gustavo Silva are all expected to join him on the sidelines, with Luxemburgo likely to be considering naming a weakened starting XI given that his side are already eliminated from South America's primary tournament.

Liverpool, meanwhile, appear likely to travel without Alan Medina and Agustin Cayetano due to injury, but Bava may look to throw everything at this match with the revenue and prestige from appearing in the Copa Sudamericana extremely significant to his club.

That means Ruben Bentancourt will almost certainly lead the line after bagging a brace against Nacional on Friday.

Corinthians possible starting lineup:

Cassio; Mendez, Gil, Caetano, Bidu; Biro, Ferreira, Roni, Giuliano, Romero; Giovane

Liverpool possible starting lineup:

Britos; Martirena, Pereira, Izquierdo, Samudio; Napoli, Lemos, Meli; Rivero, Bentancourt, Otormin

We say: Corinthians 2-1 Liverpool

Although both teams will be keen to drop down to the Copa Sudamericana as opposed to crashing out of continental competition altogether, this should be a match played in the right spirit considering that both teams are already eliminated from the Copa Libertadores.

Corinthians were too strong for Liverpool on the opening matchday and, while we expect things to be much closer on Thursday, we expect the Brazilians to win once again to seal third place in Group E.

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