Preview: Estudiantes vs. Oriente Petrolero - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts are battling Red Bull Bragantino of Brazil for top spot in Group C with one match left to play, while their Bolivian visitors are searching for their first points in the section.

Match preview

Estudiantes approach Wednesday's Sudamericana clash after dropping points once again in the Argentine Primera Division with a 1-1 draw at home against third-placed San Lorenzo.

A 5-2 thrashing of Barracas Central on June 2 was the hosts' last victory in any form, meaning they need to earn three points on Wednesday to avoid going four matches without a win across all competitions.

Last time out in the Sudamericana saw Group C's standout teams face off in Buenos Aires, with a Benjamin Rollheiser penalty cancelling out Ramires's strike for Bragantino to force a share of the spoils.

Eduardo Dominguez's men and their Brazilian counterparts both have 11 points after five matches in the Sudamericana group stage, and with Paraguay's Tacuary in third sitting five points behind, Estudiantes are assured of their place in the knockout stages.

Estudiantes are fighting for their first-ever Sudamericana title this year, although the club are no strangers to glory on the continental stage having won four Copa Libertadores titles, with their most recent coming back in 2009.

Oriente Petrolero are unable to boast the same level of historic success as their hosts on Wednesday evening - the Bolivians have won just four domestic titles in their entire existence - although they still managed to earn their spot in the group stage of the Sudamericana this year.

Five straight losses in Group C have given them no chance of taking their participation in the competition into the latter rounds however, with a record of two goals scored and 16 conceded suggesting that Oriente have simply been outclassed by their continental counterparts.

Angel Guillermo Hoyos is under pressure in the managerial hotseat with his side currently on a run of only one win in 13 matches across all competitions, leaving the Albiverdes 11th in the Bolivian Primera Division, only two points ahead of the relegation spots.

Cristian Alvarez is one of a group of Argentinian Oriente players who will be looking to get a result against a club from their homeland on Wednesday - the 30-year-old leads his team's scoring charts this term in the Primera Division with five strikes.

Estudiantes Copa Sudamericana form:

W

W

D

W

D

Estudiantes form (all competitions):

W

D

W

D

L

D

Oriente Petrolero Copa Sudamericana form:

W

L

L

L

L

L

Oriente Petrolero form (all competitions):

Team News

Estudiantes suffered a huge injury blow in April when former Valencia man Pablo Piatti picked up a cruciate ligament injury in the win against Talleres, with the midfielder fighting to be back before the season's end.

Zaid Abner Romero and Luciano Lollo have cemented themselves as the centre-back partnership for the hosts so far this term - both defenders will be hoping to keep their first clean sheets since May 30 against Group C's bottom side.

Oriente are expected to make a number of changes to the side which lost their last Sudamericana game against Tacuary earlier in the month, with Javier Vargas and Jose Briceno possible candidates to be demoted to the bench.

David Villalba netted an own goal during his side's loss on June 8 - the Paraguayan and Juan Mercado will be aiming for their first clean sheet in the competition on Wednesday.

Estudiantes possible starting lineup:

Andujar; Godoy, Lollo, Romero, Benedetti; Ascacibar, Rodriguez, Zuqui, Rollheiser, Sosa; Carrillo

Oriente Petrolero possible starting lineup:

Quinonez; Briceno, Mercado, Villalba, Guzman; Rojas, Sanchez, Alvarez; Arabe, Villagra, Correa

We say: Estudiantes 4-1 Oriente Petrolero

Estudiantes have already secured their spot in the knockout stages of the Sudamericana but should view this match as the perfect opportunity to get back to winning ways after recent struggles in their domestic league.

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