Fluminense could find it tough going at altitude

Copa Sudamericana last 16
11.30pm Thursday

As clubs across Europe embark on their Europa League campaigns, over in South America just 16 teams remain in their secondary continental competition, the Copa Sudamericana.

Winning the tournament has taken on greater significance for Ecuadorian side Deportivo Cuenca and Brazilian outfit Fluminense as both sides are failing to the heights at home.

Hosts Cuenca have won only three of their opening ten league games and are already seven points behind leaders Emelec while Fluminense are well off the pace in Brazil's Serie A - 14 points shy of a top-four berth that would guarantee a place in the continent's premier club competition, the Copa Libertadores.

Central to both sides' travails has been a chronic lack of goals. Fluminense have netted only 24 times in 25 league outings while Deportivo Cuenca are averaging just over a goal per game.

Everything points to a close first-leg encounter at the Estadio Alejandro Serrano Aguilar and bookmakers are in agreement.

Deportivo will hope that playing in the thin air of their home - Cuenca is 8,400ft above sea level - gives them an advantage but they are yet to make much use of it in this competition.

All three of the hosts' home games in the tournament have been level after 90 minutes and this last-16 first-leg tie could follow suit.

Recommendation
Draw
1pt 39-19 188Bet

Read every day for no-nonsense previews and expert sports betting tips

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport