The Strongest and Ceara kick off their Copa Sudamericana round-of-16 tie on Wednesday, when they meet in the first leg in Bolivia.
The hosts dropped into the continent’s secondary competition after finishing third in their Copa Libertadores group, while Ceara topped their group with a perfect record.
Following their third-placed finish in their domestic top flight last season, The Strongest secured a spot in this year’s Copa Libertadores qualifying, and they progressed to the group stage with two-legged victories over Plaza Colonia and Universidad Catolica.
Two draws and a defeat from their first three matches dealt their hopes of progressing to the knockout stage a major blow, before they stayed in the fight with a 5-0 victory over Athletico Paranaense.
However, that was not enough as their final two matches produced just a single point, meaning they pushed Caracas to third spot and the resultant place in the Copa Sudamericana on goal difference.
Meanwhile, Ceara aim to build on their impressive form in this tournament’s group stage, as they were the only team to cruise through to the final 16 with a perfect record.
They earned an automatic entry into the group stage following an 11th-placed finish Brasileiro Serie A table last season, and they began with victories over Independiente, Deportivo La Guaira and General Caballero JLM, scoring six goals in the process and conceding just one.
Victories and clean sheets in each of the reverse fixtures then followed to see the Vozao book a spot in the knockout stage, before manager Dorival Junior departed earlier in June, with Marquinhos Santos now at the helm.
Life under Santos has not got off to the best start, as they have played out three draws in the Brasileiro while also losing 2-0 to Fortaleza in the first leg of their Copa do Brasil round-of-16 tie.
The Strongest vs Ceara head to head
The two teams have not previously met on any occasion. They will be meeting for the first time in a competitive match in the Copa Sudamericana competition.
The Strongest latest home form
The Strongest lost their last home game 3-0 to Bolivar in the league. However, they have recently been on a good run of form at home, as they have been unbeaten in their 10 matches prior to that. In their last five matches, they have scored seven goals and conceded four.
The Strongest 0-0 Guabira 14/05/22
The Strongest 1-0 Aurora 21/05/22
The Strongest 4-0 Royal Pari 02/06/22
The Strongest 2-1 Atletico Palmaflor 04/06/22
The Strongest 0-3 Bolivar 12/06/22
The Strongest latest away form
The Strongest have recently been on an upturn in form on the road, having won each of their two most recent matches. They managed to defeat Atletico Palmaflor 2-1 in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored seven goals and conceded six.
Nacional Potosi 1-1 The Strongest 12/05/22
Caracas 0-0 The Strongest 18/05/22
Libertad 4-1 The Strongest 27/05/22
Royal Pari 0-3 The Strongest 30/05/22
Atletico Palmaflor 1-2 The Strongest 08/06/22
Ceara latest home form
Ceara have recently been on a good run of form at home, having been unbeaten in their seven most recent matches. They played out a 1-1 draw with Atletico Goianiense in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored 10 and conceded four.
Ceara 2-2 Flamengo 14/05/22
Ceara 6-0 General Caballero JLM 18/05/22
Ceara 1-1 Coritiba 05/06/22
Ceara 0-0 Atletico Mineiro 16/06/22
Ceara 1-1 Atletico Goianiense 27/06/22
Ceara latest away form
Ceara lost their last away game 2-0 to Fortaleza in the Copa do Brasil. However, they have recently been on a good run of form on the road, having been unbeaten in their seven matches prior to that. In their last five matches, they have scored four goals and conceded three.
Fortaleza 0-1 Ceara 02/06/22
America Mineiro 0-2 Ceara 09/06/22
Goias 1-1 Ceara 12/06/22
Cuiaba 0-0 Ceara 19/06/22
Fortaleza 2-0 Ceara 23/06/22
The Strongest news
Enrique Triverio should again lead the line, having been preferred at the top end of the field in recent matches and their Copa Libertadores fixtures.
Luciano Ursino is a key man in midfield and should again line up alongside Fernando Saucedo in the mifield, while Adrian Jusino will continue to command the back line.
Ceara news
Ceara will likely remain without the services of top scorer Stiven Mendoza, who has been out of action since mid-June through injury.
In his absence, Vinicius could lead the attack, although Matheus Peixoto, who is yet to score in six appearances, was deployed for their latest league game against Atletico Goianiense.
Prediction and Odds
Ceara have failed to convert stalemates to wins in recent occasions, and as they play away from home, that trend is likely to continue here.
The Strongest will see the contest as crucial and as they got an home advantage, wee see them just edging out the visitors before heading abroad next week.
Odds: 1 1.82 X 2.00 2 2.26
Probable outcomes
The Strongest 1-0 Ceara
The Strongest 2-0 Ceara
The Strongest 2-1 Ceara
The Strongest 3-1 Ceara
The Strongest 1-1 Ceara
