Preview: Independiente del Valle vs. America Mineiro - prediction, team news, lineups

Both teams look to be on their way out of of the competition, but a spot in the Copa Sudamericana is still up for grabs heading into this one.

Match preview

Independiente del Valle fell to a 3-1 defeat against Brazilian outfit Atletico Mineiro in Thursday's meeting at the Mineirao.

Two goals from Hulk left Renato Paiva's men with a mountain to climb but William Vargas pulled one back to set up a thrilling finale, only for Savio to put the result beyond doubt in second-half stoppage time.

Los Negriazules were also beaten in their subsequent league outing on Monday and have now slipped to third in the Ecuadorian Liga Pro.

Next up is the challenge of an opposing side who will be looking to exact revenge for a 2-0 loss in the teams' only previous encounter back in April.

Currently Sitting third in Group D with five points from as many games, Thursday's hosts simply need to avoid defeat to finish as second runners-up and they will be confident of doing so having lost just one of their last eight games on home turf.

America Mineiro had to settle for a share of the spoils against Deportes Tolima at the Estadio Manuel Murillo Toro on Thursday.

Vagner Mancini's men stormed to a two-goal lead inside the opening 30 minutes thanks to Marlon and Iago Maidana before quickfire strikes from Anderson Plata and Michael Rangel restored parity before the half-time whistle.

The Coelho also played out a stalemate in their most recent Brasileiro involvement versus Botafogo on Sunday which leaves them ninth in the league table.

Having amassed just two points from five matches so far, Thursday's visitors are fourth in Group D of the Copa Libertadores and need to claim all three points in their final group-stage fixture to stand a chance of extending their continental journey.

Independiente del Valle Copa Libertadores form:

Independiente del Valle form (all competitions):

America Mineiro Copa Libertadores form:

America Mineiro form (all competitions):

Team News

Billy Arce will be aiming to deliver the goods once again after coming off the bench to score the clincher for Independiente in the reverse fixture.

Beder Caicedo was shown a red card in his side's last league encounter over the weekend but the midfielder will be eligible for selection in this one.

Iago Maidana is expected to return to the starting XI having missed America Mineiro's last outing through a suspension.

Having recently returned to action for the first time since March, 20-year-old Luan Patrick is the favourite to make way for Maidana.

Independiente del Valle possible starting lineup:

Ramirez; Segovia, Schunke, Ordonez; Chavez, Pellerano, Gaibor, Vargas; Sornoza, Arce, Bauman

America Mineiro possible starting lineup:

Jailson; Eder, Conti, Maidana; Kal, Marlon, Henrique, Indio, Patric; Alosio, Felipe

We say: Independiente del Valle 2-1 America Mineiro

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