After a stalemate in the opening leg last week, Estudiantes and Fortaleza will meet on Thursday at Estudiantes de La Plata in Bueno Aires to decide who will progress to the quarter-finals of the Copa Libertadores with kickoff at 5:30 pm.
Over the 2022 Libertadores campaign, Estudiantes have emerged as one of the most fascinating stories in South America. Many moons ago they dominated this tournament, winning the title on three consecutive occasions from 1968-1970, and another one in 2009.
After a lengthy dry spell, this club might be re-emerging as one to watch out for in the competition leading up to the FIFA Club World Cup this December. Estudiantes have been a tough side to penetrate defensively, with a solid structure in place that allows them to move the ball quickly in transition.
Their close proximity to one another on the field allows them to move the ball quickly in transition while there always seems to be numerous passing options for whoever happens to possess the ball for them.
After reaching the top four in the 2021 domestic campaign, Fortaleza have failed to maintain that same kind of success this season.
Currently dead last in the Brasileiro Serie A, seven points below the relegation line, manager Juan Pablo Vojvoda has had to keep his top players in the lineup for virtually every game. This has been a physically demanding schedule for the Brazilians.
Estudiantes vs Fortaleza Head to Head
Both sides have one game against each other that ended in a draw. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
- Sarandi 2-1 La Plata
- Fortaleza 1-1 Estudiantes
- La Plata 0-2 Old Boys
- Independiente 2-1 La Plata
Away
- Coritiba 2-1 Fortaleza
- Fortaleza 1-1 La Plata
- Atletico Mineiro 3-2 Fortaleza
- Fortaleza 2-0 Ceara
Estudiantes Team News
Agustin Rogel has scored four goals for El Leon, Gustavo Del Prete has two and Leandro Diaz scored his first goal last week. Franco Zapiola scored in their 2-1 defeat of Arsenal Sarandi this past weekend. Mariano Andujar has faced a shot or fewer in four of his five home fixtures while collecting six clean sheets to this point of the tournament.
Fortaleza Team News
In the first leg of the Copa do Brasil final, Fortaleza’s Silvio Romero scored his third of the tournament, tying him with teammate Moises for first while Juninho Capixaba earned his first assist on that goal. Their leading goalscorer domestically, Yago Pikachu, is first at this tournament in assists with four.
Prediction and Odds
Although fatigue has taken a toll on both teams, Estudiantes have been at their best at home, which should be enough to see them through to the quarter-finals.
- Home Win
- Goals Under 2.5
- No Score: Away
