Jason Collins
Dailysports's expert
Copa Sudamericana Final Preview: Racing Club vs Cruzeiro.
Racing Club
The Argentine side has been impressive this season, with their spot in the Copa Sudamericana final serving as proof of their consistency. Racing navigated a challenging knockout phase, eliminating Huachipato, Athletico Paranaense, and Corinthians en route to the final.
Domestically, Racing sits third in the league, just four points behind the leader with four matches remaining, leaving them with a fighting chance for the championship. In their last match, Racing secured a dramatic 2-1 away victory against San Lorenzo, with the winning goal scored in the dying moments of stoppage time.
Cruzeiro
The Brazilian outfit has struggled to balance domestic and international commitments, currently occupying seventh place in their league. While moving up the table seems unlikely, they still face pressure to maintain their position. Winning the Copa Sudamericana is their primary opportunity to salvage the season.
In the knockout stages, Cruzeiro overcame formidable opponents, including Boca Juniors, Libertad Asunción, and Lanús. However, their last outing was a 2-1 away defeat to Corinthians in league action, reflecting a dip in form.
Probable Lineups
- Racing Club: Arias; Quiroz, Sosa, Di Cesare, Mura; Barrios, Suculini, Matirrena Torres; Carbonero, Salas, Solari.
- Cruzeiro: Anderson; Caíque, Zé Ivaldo, Jonathan, Gasolina; Silva, Peralta, Bareal; Vital, Ramiro, Díaz.
Key Match Facts
- Racing is riding a five-match winning streak across all competitions.
- Cruzeiro has managed only two victories in their last 11 games.
- Odds Racing Club Win (W1): 2.39, Draw (X): 3.05, (W2): 3.2
Head-to-Head
The sides met once before in 2018 during the Copa Libertadores group stage. On that occasion, each team won their respective home fixture, with both advancing to the knockout rounds.
Prediction
This promises to be a tightly contested and unpredictable clash, as reflected in the balanced odds. Neither team has won the Copa Sudamericana before, ensuring maximum motivation on both sides. With the match being played on neutral ground in Paraguay, there is no home-field advantage.
Both teams are likely to play cautiously, given the stakes, but they possess the firepower to create opportunities. While the tactical nature of a final often lends itself to low scores, I am inclined to take a risk and back over 2 goals in this decisive showdown.
