Athletico Paranaense vs Estudiantes Match Analysis and Prediction

2 years ago 307

Athletico Paranaense play host to Estudiantes at Arena da Baixada in the first leg of their Copa Libertadores quarter-final clash on Friday, with the hosts having defeated Bahia to reach this stage while the visitors got the better of Fortaleza.

This is fairly ucharted waters in South America’s main continental competition for Athletico Paranaense, having only once gone firther than this stage as the Runners-up to Sao Paulo in 2005.

However, they have won the Copa Sudamericana in 2018 and 2021, which has clearly improved their big game mentally and experience as a collective group.

Felipe Scolari took charge of the club in May ealier this year, and has so far excelled in the role with a 60% win rate. Not only has he taken his new side up to fourth in Brasileiro Serie A, but they remain in the hint for both the Copa Libertadores and Copa do Brasil.

The 73-year-old former Chelsea boss will fancy his side’s chances of laying down a marker against their forthcoming Argentinian opponents, especially in front of what should be a boisterous Arena da Baixada.

Meanwhile, Estudiantes do have plenty of historical pedigree in this competition, having won the Copa Libertadores for the fourth time in 2009.

Juan Sebastian Veron, who is a former Manchester United midfielder, won player of the tournament that season for his performances for Estudiantes, for whom he is now chairman having been involved behind the scenes at the club since 2012.

However, Ricardo Zielinski is the man in charge of running things on the pitch, where performances have gone a little out of order of late in the domestic league, now sitting in 22nd place in the Argentinian Primera Division’s second phase.

The Copa Libertadores has undoubtedly taken priority in terms of dictating Los Pincharratas’ campaign as a success or not.

Athletico Paranaense vs Estudiantes head to head

The two teams have not previously met in any competition and this will be their first meeting in the first leg of their Copa Libertadores quarter-final tie.

Athletico Paranaense latest home form

Athletico Paranaense have recently been on a good run of form at home, and have been unbeaten in their five most recent matches. They defeated Sao Paulo 1-0 in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored nine goals and conceded just three.

Athletico Paranaense 2-1 Libertad 29/06/22

Athletico Paranaense 2-1 Bahia 13/07/22

Athletico Paranaense 0-0 Internacional 16/07/22

Athletico Paranaense 4-1 Atletico Goianiense 21/07/22

Athletico Paranaense 1-0 Sao Paulo 31/07/22

Athletico Paranaense latest away form

Athletico Paranaense have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having won just one of their five most recent matches. They drew 0-0 with Flamengo in their last away game in the Copa do Brasil. In their last five matches, they have scored four goals and conceded five.

Palmeiras 0-2 Athletico Paranaense 03/07/22

Libertad 1-1 Athletico Paranaense 06/07/22

Goias 2-1 Athletico Paranaense 10/07/22

Botafogo 2-0 Athletico Paranaense 24/07/22

Flamengo 0-0 Athletico Paranaense 28/07/22

Estudiantes latest home form

Estudiantes have recently been on a relatively good run of form at home, having been unbeaten in their four most recent matches. They played out a goalless draw with Banfield in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored eight goals and conceded five.

Estudiantes 0-2 Newell’s Old Boys 26/06/22

Estudiantes 3-0 Fortaleza 08/07/22

Estudiantes 2-2 Central Cordoba SdE 10/07/22

Estudiantes 3-1 Barracas Central 21/07/22

Estudiantes 0-0 Banfield 31/07/22

Estudiantes latest away form

Estudiantes have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having lost each of their four most recent matches. They lost 3-1 to Boca Juniors in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored four goals and conceded nine.

Fortaleza 1-1 Estudiantes 01/07/22

Arsenal 2-1 Estudiantes 04/07/22

Belgrano 1-0 Estudiantes 13/07/22

Tigre 2-1 Estudiantes 18/07/22

Boca Juniors 3-1 Estudiantes 25/07/22

Athletico Paranaense news

Athletico Paranaense will take to the pitch without midfielder Christian Cardoso, who continues to recover from a knee injury, while forward Pablo is also a doubt due to a thigh injury.

Scolari should decide whether to utilise the 4-2-3-1 or 3-5-2 formations which he has switched between in recent occasions.

Estudiantes news

Estudiantes will travel without defenders Ezequiel Munoz and Fabian Noguera due to knee injuries, while forward Mauro Boselli is also ruled out due to a foot problem.

With a draw representing a fantastic result for his side on Friday, Zielinski could look to keep things tight with a flat back five system.

Prediction and Odds

The hosts come into Friday’s contest in a better run of form, and we expect them to come out on top with a narrow victory ahead of the second leg away from home.

However, Estudiantes have been in great form throughout the Copa Libertadores this season, so they will be no easy team to beat.

Odds: 1 2.26 X 2.05 2 2.20