Sao Paulo are aiming to maintain their unbeaten record in the CONMEBOL Libertadores when they host Talleres in their final Group D fixture. The hosts are seeking their first home win in the competition and having stood above everyone else in the group, should be too strong for their visitors.
Sao Paulo have enjoyed a solid group stage campaign in the CONMEBOL Libertadores and are unbeaten after five matches. Sitting three points clear at the top of the table, they are already through to the next stage and played out a 1-1 home draw with Libertad in their previous fixture.
Luis Zubeldia’s men suffered a 2-0 home defeat to Mirassol in a domestic fixture on Saturday, although that result came on the heels of two straight wins. They are also unbeaten in nine of their last 10 home matches across all competitions but are seeking their first home win in the CONMEBOL Libertadores.
Sitting third in the table, Talleres are only playing for pride in Tuesday's clash, with the top two already decided. It has been a poor CONMEBOL Libertadores campaign for Gustavo Irusta’s team, who have picked up just one win from five matches.
Talleres’s only victory in the competition came in their previous fixture, beating Alianza Lima 2-0. However, the Argentines travel to Sao Paulo winless in their last seven away matches in all competitions, losing the last two in that run.
How the bookies view it: Upper hand for Sao Paolo
Sao Paolo have the upper hand among the bookies and are priced at 4/6 by BoyleSports for a home win. An unlikely victory for Talleres is valued at 15/4 by BoyleSports, who are also offering odds of 12/5 for a draw.
Head to head: Evenly matched rivals
Sao Paulo and Talleres have two wins each and one draw from five previous meetings. The Brazilians’ wins have come in the last two meetings as they claimed a 2-0 home victory in last season’s competition before a 1-0 victory in this year's reverse fixture.
Players to watch: Eyes on Sao Paulo’s attack
Andre Silva has three CONMEBOL Libertadores goals and could be worth keeping an eye on alongside Ferreira, who has also impressed this season. With the Brazilians producing over 1.5 goals in three of their last four matches in the competition, both men can combine to maintain that trend at evens with BoyleSports.
Valentin Depietri was on target in the win over Alianza Lima and could be the one to watch for Talleres alongside Federico Girotti, who has two goals in the CONMEBOL Libertadores. Both men can ensure the visitors produce over 0.5 goals at 3/4 with BoyleSports.
Probable line-ups
Sao Paulo remain without forwards Jonathan Calleri and Lucas Moura, who are still sidelined with injury. Ferreira missed the defeat to Marissol through suspension and could return to partner Silva in attack while midfielder Alisson is suspended following a red card last time out against Libertad.
Talleres also have some injury problems, with Gaston Benavidez and Emanuel Reynoso both sidelined. Girotti should lead the line once again, with Depietri providing support.
Sao Paulo: Rafael, Diaz, Franco, Arboleda, Ferraresi, Pablo Maia, Bobadilla, Lucas Ferreira, Luciano, Ferreira, Silva
Talleres: Burrai, Navarro, Portillo, Fernandez, Scott, Portilla, Galarza, Rick, Botta, Depietri, Girotti
Anything else catch the eye?
There has been a goal in each half in two of Sao Paulo’s last three matches and a repeat can be considered at 21/20 with BoyleSports. The second half has produced more goals in the home team's last five matches in all competitions and a similar outcome is priced at 11/10 with BoyleSports.
Talleres’ last two away matches have produced over 2.5 goals which is priced at 5/4 with BoyleSports, who are also offering 23/20 on both teams to score.
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