Burkina Faso
Czech Republic
Indonesia
Lithuania
Montenegro
Nigeria
North Macedonia

Preview: Emelec vs. Guarani - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk, 5 June 2023, 21:51
Round five of the 2022-23 Copa Sudamericana sees Ecuadorian outfit Emelec entertain the challenge of Paraguayan side Guarani at Estadio George Capwell.

The teams head into this one off the back of contrasting results in their most recent league outings but Thursday's clash promises to be an exciting watch nonetheless.

Match preview

Emelec had to settle for a point in their fourth Copa Sudamericana clash against Huracan which ended 2-2 at Estadio Tomas Adolfo Duco two Fridays ago.

Miguel Rondelli's men went 1-0 and 2-1 down in Buenos Aires but were able to restore parity on either occasion through Alejandro Cabeza and Miller Bolanos.

As a result, El Bombillo have moved up to third place in what remains a highly-congested group as all four teams are separated by only three points.

Coming up next is a second-ever encounter against an opposing side who came away with a 1-1 draw in the only previous meeting between the teams back in May.

Having come out on top in just one of their last five matches on home turf, Thursday's hosts will need to get going in front of their fans if they are to avoid being left on the brink of continental elimination.

Guarani showed great mettle to claim a crucial 2-0 win over Danubio in the sides' Group B involvement at Estadio Centenario a fortnight ago.

After soaking up pressure for large spells of the game, Rodrigo Lopez's men broke the deadlock through Federico Santander before Alexis Cantero sealed the deal with 10 minutes left to play.

A tally of seven points from four games so far leaves El Aborigen top of their group heading into the penultimate round of group-stage fixtures.

Currently on a run of seven goals scored across their last three away matches, Thursday's visitors set out to confirm their place in the knockout stages of the Copa Sudamericana by securing all three points here.

Emelec Copa Sudamericana form:

W

L

W

D

D

Emelec form (all competitions):

L

W

L

W

D

D

Guarani Copa Sudamericana form:

W

L

W

D

W

Team News

Alejandro Cabeza is ineligible to feature as he serves a one-game ban for receiving his marching orders in Emelec's last continental outing.

This could see Jose Cevallos earn a recall to the lineup for what would be the midfielder's fourth start in five Copa Sudamericana matches.

With four goals in his last five appearances across all competitions, 33-year-old Miller Bolanos is definitely one to keep a close eye on here.

Guarani's Federico Santander currently leads the Copa Sudamericana scoring charts having netted four times in as many games and he will be looking to deliver the goods once again.

Victor Cespedes will be targeting a return to action in this one after sitting out his side's most recent league involvement through suspension.

Emelec possible starting lineup:

Ortiz; Fara, Leon, Leguizamon; Carabali, Villalba, Valencia, Sosa; Cevallos, Bolanos, Angulo

Guarani possible starting lineup:

Munoz; Clar, Moya, Roman, Caceres; Dorrego, Romero, Rios, Benitez; Santander, Camacho

We say: Emelec 2-1 Guarani

Previews by email
Show more

Top News

18 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal Women have been left with a mountain to climb in the Women's Champions League owing to a 2-0 loss to Real Madrid in the first leg of their quarter-final tie. 18 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen has admitted he expects to leave Old Trafford at the end of the season. 18 March 2025 talksport.com Morgan Gibbs-White has revealed his reaction to receiving a late England call-up from Thomas Tuchel. 18 March 2025 talksport.com Jeremie Frimpong has fuelled speculation over a summer move to Liverpool by greeting Ryan Gravenberch in a scouse accent. 18 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has seen three players withdraw from his squad due to injury ahead of Thursday's UEFA Nations League quarter-final first-leg clash with Netherlands at De Kuip in Rotterdam. 18 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman has named his 24-man squad ahead of Thursday's UEFA Nations League quarter-final first-leg clash with Spain at De Kuip in Rotterdam. 18 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk UEFA Nations League holders Spain travel to De Kuip in Rotterdam to face the Netherlands in the first leg of their quarter-final tie on Thursday night. 18 March 2025 talksport.com Al Nassr are plotting a stunning move to sign Gabriel Magalhaes this summer, talkSPORT understands. 18 March 2025 talksport.com A trio of England under-21 players joined Thomas Tuchel's training session on Tuesday. 18 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have confirmed that Cole Palmer has returned from the England squad to undergo further assessment on the injury he sustained before Sunday's 1-0 loss to Arsenal. 18 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Continuing their quest for a first UEFA Nations League crown, Italy will welcome familiar foes Germany to San Siro on Thursday evening, as the pair play out the first leg of an enticing quarter-final tie. 18 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal fans may have to wait until next season to see the best of Bukayo Saka ahead of his imminent return from hamstring surgery, Gunners expert Charles Watts believes. 18 March 2025 talksport.com Jean-Philippe Mateta injury was so severe his plastic surgeon refused to show him pictures of his ear. 18 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Ultimately aiming to claim a first UEFA Nations League title, Germany will kick off their quarter-final clash with old foes Italy on Thursday. 18 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Former Liverpool striker Emile Heskey has suggested that Darwin Nunez could still have a future at Anfield, but not as Arne Slot's starting number nine. 18 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Armenia host neighbours Georgia in Yerevan on Thursday evening, as the two nations fight for the right to play in league B of the UEFA Nations League. 18 March 2025 talksport.com Liverpool are ready to consider offers for striker Darwin Nunez, talkSPORT understands. 18 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Austria host Serbia on Thursday evening, looking to gain an advantage in their two-legged playoff for the right to play in Group A of the UEFA Nations League. 18 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Seeking a place in the UEFA Nations League semi-finals, European heavyweights Italy and Germany will convene at San Siro on Thursday, for the first leg of their quarter-final tie. 18 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Luka Modric has reportedly decided whether he intends to remain at Real Madrid past the end of the season. 18 March 2025 talksport.com Leicester player Hamza Choudhury was mobbed by fans after arriving for his first senior international call-up. 18 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea winger Mykhaylo Mudryk is allegedly the subject of surprise interest from a Bundesliga club. 18 March 2025 talksport.com A brand-new competition will be taking place this summer, with some of the world's biggest clubs eyeing glory in the USA. 18 March 2025 talksport.com Ola Aina had a hilarious response to discovering he would be sharing a bed with Alex Iwobi on international duty. 18 March 2025 talksport.com Arsenal have added Carabao Cup winning Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes to their list of summer transfer targets, talkSPORT understands. 18 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Vying for a place in the UEFA Nations League's top tier, Scotland and Greece will meet for the first leg of their promotion/relegation playoff on Thursday. 18 March 2025 talksport.com Troy Deeney has reiterated his belief that Mohamed Salah is 'not world class' after his Wembley woes. 18 March 2025 talksport.com Papiss Cisse has been convinced to come out of retirement at the age of 39 by a former Newcastle teammate. 18 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Two teams at opposite ends of Group C in the third round of AFC World Cup qualifiers will clash on Thursday as leaders Japan face Bahrain. 18 March 2025 talksport.com Danny Drinkwater was once given just an hour to leave Chelsea and led to a bust-up with the manager.