In the early hours of Thursday, Goias and Estudiantes La Plata clash at the Estadio do Governo do Estado de Goias in the last 16 of the second leg of the Copa Sudamericana. The first leg ended in a resounding 3-0 win to Estudiantes, and the visitors are favourites to progress to the quarter-finals.
Goias form guideThe Brazilian team are not enjoying the best of domestic seasons, as they currently sit in 15th place in the Serie A table, just a point outside the relegation zone. Their recent form has been inconsistent, although they have won just two of their previous seven games in all competitions.
Their Copa Sudamericana run has been the highlight for Goias of late, as the first leg mauling ended a six-game winless run in the competition. The Brazilian outfit are unbeaten in their previous three home games in the competition but has won just once in the last five matches on home soil.
Estudiantes La Plata form guideThe Argentinian team will be full of confidence heading to Brazil, as they have recorded five consecutive victories in all competitions. They have been strong at both ends of the pitch in the good run, scoring at least two goals in four of the matches while also keeping four clean sheets in the good run.
Estudiantes also have a decent recent record in the Copa Sudamericana, winning three of their last four matches while also scoring at least two goals in their last four matches in the competition.
Their recent away record in the Copa Sudamericana has been inconsistent. However, a 2-1 defeat at Barcelona ended a three-game unbeaten run for the visitors in the competition.
What am I backing?Estudiantes dominated the first game, and I believe the Argentinian team will pick up another victory in this clash to progress to the last eight of the competition.
