Preview: Fluminense vs. Sporting Cristal - prediction, team news, lineups

Both teams could end up qualifying to the next round while either could technically end up coming out of the competition in its entirety.

Match preview

Fluminense head into this match knowing that they are in the driving seat of Group D in the Copa Libertadores as they find themselves in first place.

However, due to how tight it is a defeat on Wednesday could see them finishing in third place which would see them slip into the Copa Sudamericana.

Eduardo Barros's men have struggled with consistency in the competition at this stage with three victories and two defeats, but they do come into the game following a 2-1 win in the league at the weekend.

Fluminense defeated Bahia despite the fact they went behind in the game, with goals from Lele and Gabriel Pirani getting them the win even though they spent most of the game with 10 men.

That extended their current unbeaten run to three games, but the last time they played in this competition it was a 2-0 defeat that they suffered.

Sporting Cristal will be hoping for a better performance than the last time they faced Fluminense as that saw them comfortably defeated 3-1.

Joao Grimaldo had actually given his team the lead in that match, but it was something they were unable to hang onto in the long run.

Despite that Tiago Nunes has got his squad playing with real confidence as of late and they head into this match on the back of a 12-game undefeated streak in all competitions.

That is something that should inject a lot of confidence into the team, especially since they need to pick up at least a point to push themselves into the top two, depending on the result of the other group game.

A victory would guarantee Sporting Cristal a place in the next round, yet they will also be wary of the fact that The Strongest are just a point behind them right now.

Fluminense Copa Libertadores form:

W

W

W

L

L

Fluminense form (all competitions):

L

W

L

D

D

W

Sporting Cristal Copa Libertadores form:

W

L

L

W

D

W

Team News

Marcelo returned to the Fluminense starting lineup in their last outing after a five-game absence due to injury, and his experience could be important in this fixture.

Lele will be aiming to retain his place in the team after scoring at the weekend, adding to his tally for the season.

For the visitors, it will be Brenner leading the line as he already has 10 goals to his name in all competitions this season.

The team operated with three at the back this past weekend, but against strong opposition, it would not be a surprise to see them revert to four.

Fluminense possible starting lineup:

Fabio; Xavier, Nino, Melo, Marcelo; Martinelli, Andre; Lele, Lima, Ganso; Cano

Sporting Cristal possible starting lineup:

Solis; Sosa, Massoni, Oliveria, Laffore; Castillo, Tavara, Yotun; Grimaldo, Hohberg, Brenner

We say: Fluminense 1-2 Sporting Cristal

Sporting Cristal head into this game with tons of momentum due to their recent performances, and that is something that could lead to them taking the victory and taking a place in the next round.

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