In the early hours of Thursday, Estudiantes La Plata hosts Corinthians at the Estadio Jorge Luis Hirschi in the Copa Sudamericana quarter-final second leg. The first leg ended in a 1-0 victory for the visitors.
Estudiantes form guideThe Argentinian team goes into this clash on the back of three straight defeats in all competitions. A 3-1 home defeat by Union last time out means that eight of their last 12 games have produced over 2.5 goals.
Despite their recent poor general form, Estudiantes have been in decent recent form in the Copa Sudamericana. In fact, the first-leg defeat ended a three-game winning run in the competition for Estudiantes.
The Argentinian team had also scored at least two goals in each of the victories while also keeping clean sheets in all three wins.
Estudiantes has a strong recent home record in the Copa Sudamericana, as they are unbeaten in their last five home matches, having recorded four wins and a draw. They have kept four clean sheets while scoring at least three goals in all three victories.
Corinthians form guideThe visitors will be pleased with the first-leg win but will know there is still work to do to ensure they make it through to the last four of the competition.
Corinthians' recent form has been slightly inconsistent, as they have won just one of their last four competitive outings. However, they have also suffered just one defeat in their previous 15 outings.
Their recent games have been low-scoring affairs, with under 2.5 goals scored in five of their previous six matches.
Corinthians have an excellent recent record in the Copa Sudamericana, as they are unbeaten in seven games, having recorded six wins and a draw. The visitors have been strong in defence of late in the competition, keeping five clean sheets in their last seven matches.
What am I backing?While neither team has been in sparkling form lately, Estudiantes have been strong on home soil in the Copa Sudamericana, while Corinthians’ general form in the competition has been strong. The bet I am backing is the draw.