Universitariovs.Botafogo

With just one point separating the two sides in Group D, we anticipate an action-packed contest as they both go all out in search of a potentially-vital victory in their quest for a place in the knockout stages.

Match preview

Since kicking off the 2024 Copa Libertadores campaign with a 2-1 comeback victory over LDU Quito on April 3, Universitario have struggled to grind out results in the continental showpiece.

The Peruvian outfit followed their opening-day victory with a 1-1 draw against Junior Barranquilla at the Estadio Metropolitano on April 10, two weeks before crumbling in a 3-1 defeat against Botafogo in Brazil.

Universitario fluffed their chance to move into pole position in Group D last Wednesday as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Colombian outfit Barranquilla on home turf.

Edison Flores came up trumps for the home side as he struck in the 24th minute to cancel out Bryan Castrillon's early opener but Los Cremas were guilty of a lack of sting in the second half as they failed to register a shot on target before settling for a share of the spoils.

Back home, Fabian Bustos's men have enjoyed a stellar campaign in the Peruvian top flight as they hold a two-point lead at the top of the Liga 1 standings, having picked up 11 wins and three draws in their 15 matches so far.

Universitario head into Thursday's clash off the back of a resounding 4-1 victory over Sporting Cristal as Andy Polo, Martin Perez Guedes, Flores and Rodrigo Urena all hit the target to turn the game on its head and hand Enderson Moreira's side their third league defeat of the season.

Bustos will hope that Monday's victory over Sporting Cristal will give his side a much-needed boost heading back to the Copa Libertadores, where they are currently third in Group D, just one point above last-placed LDU Quito.

Botafogo, on the other hand, stumbled into the new campaign as they suffered a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Junior Barranquilla in their group opener on April 3, one week before losing 1-0 to LDU Quito in Ecuador.

However, a brace from veteran midfielder Eduardo and Luiz Henrique's 57th-minute strike helped Botafogo find their feet as they secured a 3-1 victory over Universitario at the Estadio Nilton Santos on April 24.

The Brazilian outfit made it two wins from two last Thursday when 22-year-old Hugo and former Fortaleza man Junior Santos scored either side of Michael Estrada's 45th-minute equaliser to see off LDU Quito 2-1 on home turf.

After a slow start to the campaign, Botafogo's upturn in form has seen them move level on six points with first-placed Junior Barranquilla, one point above Thursday's hosts in the Copa Sudamericana qualifying spot.

Artur Jorge's men head into the midweek clash off the back of Sunday's 1-1 draw with Fortaleza in the Brazilian Serie A, where they are currently fourth in the table, having picked up 10 points from their opening six games.

However, Botafogo will need to be at their best at the U Marathon Monumental Stadium, where Universitario are unbeaten since July 2023, when they fell to a narrow 2-1 loss against Brazilian outfit Corinthians in the Copa Sudamericana round-of-32.

Universitario Copa Libertadores form:

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D

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Universitario form (all competitions):

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D

Botafogo Copa Libertadores form:

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D

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Botafogo form (all competitions):

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D

Team News

Flores has been on song for Universitario in recent weeks and the 30-year-old striker, who has four goal involvements in his last five matches, will be one to keep an eye on.

He should be joined in the hosts' front two by strike partner Alex Valera, while we expect a back three of Aldo Corzo, Williams Riveros and Matias Di Benedetto shielding 36-year-old Sebastian Britos between the sticks.

As for Botafogo, Jorge will be unable to call upon the defensive duo of Fernando Marcal and 32-year-old Pablo, who are currently recuperating from injuries.

Matheus Nascimento is set to sit out his eighth straight game after coming off injured against Atletico Goianiense, while former Manchester United man Rafael continues his spell on the sidelines.

Veteran forward Tiquinho Soares has been out of action since picking up an injury in April's reverse fixture against Universitario and the 33-year-old is also out of contention for Thursday's game.

Universitario possible starting lineup:

Britos; Corzo, Riveros, Di Benedetto; Urena, Polo, Guedes, Concha, Portocarrero; Flores, Valera

Botafogo possible starting lineup:

Victor; Suarez, Halter, Bastos, Hugo; Barbosa, Freitas; Henrique, Savarino, Jeffinho; Santos

We say: Universitario 2-1 Botafogo

Given the stakes of Thursday's match, we expect Universitario and Botafogo to take the game to each other in search of all three points. Universitario have been near-impenetrable on home turf and we see them coming away with a narrow victory.

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