Sao Paulo will be looking to rebound from their 2-1 defeat to Atletico Mineiro in their Copa Libertadores group opener when they take on The Strongest of Bolivia on Thursday.
The Tricolor Paulista have already met Bolivian opponents in the competition, having eliminated Bolivar 8-4 on aggregate in a preliminary qualifier in late January.
Sao Paulo thumped Bolivar 5-0 in Brazil, but blew what seemed a comfortable 3-0 lead by losing 4-3 in the return leg in Bolivia.
With a squad filled with a number of high-profile players, such as Luis Fabiano, Paulo Henrique Ganso, Rogerio Ceni, Denilson, Jadson and Lucio, Sao Paulo are one of the favourites to fight for the title along with teams like Boca Juniors, Velez Sarsfield and Brazilian rivals Fluminense, Gremio and Atletico Mineiro.
Ney Franco, the coach of Sao Paulo, has confirmed that former Arsenal midfielder Denilson will return to the starting eleven after being rested for the clash with Linense on the weekend.
Another midfielder, Fabricio, has made the squad for the first time in almost a year, after recovering from a series of injuries.
Another change will see Ganso return to the bench, while Aloisio will strengthen an attack already comprising of Osvaldo and scoring-machine Luis Fabiano.
Rivals The Strongest, who beat Arsenal de Sarandi 2-1 in their Copa Libertadores group opener, will be hoping to pull off a major upset at the Morumbi, even if their chances of doing this appear to be rather remote.
The team's coach, Eduardo Villegas, will confront the game with a defensive approach, but will be hoping to damage the Brazilians on the counterattack.
According to reports Pablo Escobar will be The Strongest's lone striker, with his usual strike-partner Harold Reina expected to be replaced by another midfielder.
Sao Paulo's last four matches
Feb 23, 2013: Sao Paulo 3-0 Linense (Paulista Championship)
Feb 16, 2013: Sao Paulo 3-2 Ituano (Paulista Championship)
Feb 13, 2013: Atletico Mineiro 2-1 Sao Paulo (Copa Libertadores)
Feb 9, 2013: Guarani 1-2 Sao Paulo (Paulista Championship)
The Strongest's last four matches
Feb 17, 2013: The Strongest 3-1 Blooming (Bolivian League)
Feb 14, 2013: The Strongest 2-1 Arsenal (Copa Libertadores)
Feb 3, 2013: Jorge Wilstermann 1-1 The Strongest (Bolivian League)
Jan 31, 2013: The Strongest 2-3 Nacional Potosi (Bolivian League)
Facts
- The teams met in the group stage of the 2005 Copa Libertadores, with Sao Paulo winning 3-0 in Brazil and picking up a 3-3 draw in Bolivia.
- While Sao Paulo have won the Copa Libertadores three times, the furthest The Strongest have reached is the Round of 16 stage.
