Preview: Santa Fe vs. Universitario - prediction, team news, lineups

Universitario defeated Santa Fe 2-0 in the reverse fixture last month, meaning that Los Cremas find themselves three points clear of Los Cardenales in Group G.

Match preview

When Santa Fe kicked off their Copa Sudamericana campaign with a goalless draw against Gois and a 2-1 victory over Gimnasia, it looked as though Gerardo Bedoya's men would cruise into the knockout phase without any problems.

Since then, however, Santa Fe have suffered back-to-back losses, with the defeat in Lima preceding a 1-0 loss to Gimnasia in Argentina, leaving the Bogota outfit three points shy of the top two with two matches remaining.

When you look at the bigger picture, Los Cardenales have lost six of their last eight games across all competitions, suffering four defeats in six league outings to finish the Categoria Primera A campaign in 10th place.

Having failed to score in three of their four Sudamericana group games - conceding four goals in the process - Santa Fe must avoid defeat against Universitario to stand any chance of grabbing a top-two finish in Group G.

On the flip side, Universitario have lost just one of their four Copa Sudamericana group games this term, picking up two wins and one draw along the way, with first-placed Goias sitting a solitary point above the Peruvian club.

After defeating Gimnasia 1-0, Los Cremas played out a 2-2 draw with Goias before overcoming Sante Fe to remain in the hunt for a spot in the knockout phase, although Jorge Fossati's men suffered a 1-0 defeat to Goias in Brazil soon after.

Universitario head into the penultimate round of group games on the back of a 1-0 victory over Cusco, meaning that the Lima outfit find themselves second in the Peruvian top flight ahead of the final round of Apertura fixtures.

Having lost just three of their previous 18 matches across all competitions - securing 13 wins and two draws in the process - Universitario will be confident of notching another positive result and booking their place in the knockout phase.

Santa Fe Copa Sudamericana form:

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D

W

L

L

Universitario Copa Sudamericana form:

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D

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L

Team News

Santa Fe are still without right-back Carlos Moreno, who has not featured since April due to injury, so Fabian Viafara is expected to join Jose Aja, Marlon Torres and Dairon Mosquera in the hosts' backline.

Juan Daniel Roa and Wilson Morelo are both suspended after picking up red cards in last month's defeat at Gimnasia, meaning that Jeferson Rivas will likely lead the line for Los Cardenales.

As for Universitario, they are still without long-term injury absentee Roberto Siucho, who has not played this season as he continues to nurse a bone inflammation problem.

Jorge Fossati is expected to stick with his favoured 3-4-1-2 formation, with Piero Quispe operating behind Emanuel Herrera and Alex Valera in attack.

Aldo Corzo, Marco Saravia and Matias Di Benedetto will likely make up the backline, while Horacio Calcaterra and Alfonso Barco are expected to anchor the midfield.

Santa Fe possible starting lineup:

Espitia; Viafara, Aja, Torres, Mosquera; Barboza, Rojas; Gonzalez, Rodallega, Enamorado; Rivas

Universitario possible starting lineup:

Carvallo; Corzo, Saravia, Di Benedetto; Polo, Calcaterra, Barco, Cabanillas; Quispe; Herrera, Valera

We say: Santa Fe 1-1 Universitario

Of course, Santa Fe will be eager to make amends for last month's defeat in Lima, but Universitario are expected to make life difficult for Los Cardenales.

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