Huachipato vs Racing Club live Copa Sudamericana on Koora 24

Copa Sudamericana Showdown: Huachipato vs. Racing Club – Match Preview and Team News

Huachipato vs Racing Club: The Copa Sudamericana heats up as Chilean side Huachipato faces off against Argentina's Racing Club at Estadio Sausalito on Tuesday. With both teams having navigated contrasting paths to reach this stage, the stakes are high as they vie for a crucial first-leg advantage.

Huachipato’s Resilient Journey

Huachipato’s journey to this stage has been nothing short of dramatic. After an early exit from the Copa Libertadores, where they finished third in Group C with eight points, Los Acereros had to dig deep in the Copa Sudamericana playoffs. Their playoff clash with Uruguay’s Racing de Montevideo was a nail-biter, with Huachipato overturning a first-leg 3-2 deficit to win on penalties. Cris Martinez was the hero of the second leg, scoring a crucial ninth-minute goal that forced the tie to penalties, where Huachipato triumphed 3-0.

Domestically, however, Igor Oca’s side has struggled. Currently languishing in 15th place in the Chilean Primera Division, just two points above the relegation zone, Huachipato’s recent form has been underwhelming. Their goalless draw against Cobresal last weekend extended their winless streak in the league to four matches, highlighting their inconsistency this season.

Racing Club’s Strong Group Stage Performance

In contrast, Racing Club enjoyed a dominant group stage in the Copa Sudamericana. The Argentine outfit topped Group H with 15 points from six matches, securing five wins and scoring 15 goals along the way. Their only blemish was a 2-1 defeat to Brazilian side Bragantino, but Racing’s overall performance was one of the best among all 32 teams in the tournament.

Despite a disappointing 1-0 loss to Gimnasia in their last Argentine Primera Division match, Gustavo Costas’s men have had a solid start to the domestic season. With five wins and two draws from their first ten games, Racing Club sits sixth in the league standings, just three points off the top spot. Their defensive solidity and attacking prowess make them a formidable opponent for Huachipato.

Team News and Predicted Lineups

Huachipato heads into Tuesday’s clash with a full-strength squad. Barring any last-minute injuries, coach Igor Oca is expected to field a similar lineup to the one that drew with Cobresal. The back four is likely to consist of Maximiliano Gutierrez, Benjamin Gazzolo, Imanol Gonzalez, and Antonio Castillo, with Fabian Cerda in goal. Claudio Sepulveda and Jeisson Vargas are expected to anchor the midfield, while Cris Martinez, who has been in fine form with four goals in his last four matches, will lead the attack alongside Mario Briceno and Maximiliano Rodriguez.

Racing Club, meanwhile, will be without key defender Agustin Garcia, who remains sidelined with an injury. Midfielder Juan Nardoni is also out with a sprained ankle, while Adrian Martinez, who was sent off in the loss to Gimnasia, is eligible to play and should lead the attack. Racing’s likely starting lineup includes Gabriel Arias in goal, with Di Cesare, Sosa, and Quiros in defense. The midfield will feature Martirena, Zuculini, Barrios, and Elordi, while Solari and Martinez will support the forward line.

Prediction: Huachipato 1-2 Racing Club

Both Huachipato and Racing Club have had their share of struggles in recent weeks, but Racing’s superior squad depth and quality should give them the edge in this encounter. While Huachipato will be determined to make the most of their home advantage, Racing Club’s attacking firepower and defensive resilience make them slight favorites to secure a narrow victory in the first leg.

As the Copa Sudamericana enters its decisive stages, this clash between Huachipato and Racing Club promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams leaving everything on the pitch in pursuit of continental glory.