Montevideo's Estadio Centenario awaits what promises to be a fierce Copa Libertadores Group 4 clash between South American heavyweights Penarol and Velez Sarsfield on Tuesday.
Penarol, who have won the Copa Libertadores five times, have commenced their campaign in style with victories over Deportes Iquique and Emelec, while Velez lost to Emelec and thrashed Iquique.
Both teams struggled in their respective domestic competitions on the weekend, with Penarol having to settle for a 1-1 draw with lowly Fenix, and Velez losing out at Lanus.
Penarol, who were beaten by Santos in the final of the 2011 Copa Libertadores, have built an extremely solid unit, with the likes of Marcelo Zalayeta, Juan Manuel Olivera, Matias Aguirregaray and captain Dario Rodriguez.
Coach Jorge da Silva will make three modifications to the side that drew with Fenix, with Aureliano Torres, Sebastian Cristoforo and Aguirregaray returning to the starting eleven in the places of Nicolas Raguso, Carlos Grossmuller and Jorge Zambrana, respectively.
Meanwhile, Ricardo Gareca, the coach of Velez, will field an identical starting eleven as the one that crushed Iquique in Buenos Aires last week. Defender Fernando Tobio was expected to return to action for this game, but will miss out after suffering another injury against Lanus.
The centre of the Velez midfield will comprise of a great deal of talent with Fernando Gago and Federico Insua, while Lucas Pratto and Ezequiel Rescaldani are Gareca's desired strike-force.
Rivals Penarol have already shown clear indications that they could again be title contenders, and will be hoping to unsettle the Velez defence with Olivera, Zalayeta and speedy winger Fabian Estoyanoff up front.
An estimated 60,000 crowd will view a repeat of the 2011 Copa Libertadores semi-final, which Penarol won 1-0 in Montevideo. Despite a 2-1 defeat in the return leg in Buenos Aires, the Uruguayans went through to the final on the away goals rule.
Penarol's last four matches
Feb 23, 2013: Penarol 1-1 Fenix (Uruguayan League)
Feb 19, 2013: Penarol 1-0 Emelec (Copa Libertadores)
Feb 13, 2013: Deportes Iquique 1-2 Penarol (Copa Libertadores)
Jan 30, 2013: Penarol 1-0 Libertad (Friendly Match)
Velez's last four matches
Feb 23, 2013: Lanus 1-0 Velez (Argentine League)
Feb 20, 2013: Velez 3-0 Deportes Iquique (Copa Libertadores)
Feb 16, 2013: Velez 0-1 Independiente (Argentine League)
Feb 12, 2013: Emelec 1-0 Velez (Copa Libertadores)
Facts
- Penarol beat Velez Sarsfield on the away goals rule to advance to the 2011 Copa Libertadores final.
- The two sides met in the pre-season, with Velez returning home with a 3-1 victory from Montevideo.
