After taking the top spot in their group, Santos will head into the Copa Sudamericana round of 16 with a first-leg tie against Deportivo Tachira on Thursday.
Deportivo Tachira just missed out on a spot in the Copa Libertadores round of 16 and now find themselves fighting with the Brazilian giants in South America’s secondary competition.
Juan Tolisano’s side finished second in the Venezuelan top flight last season, securing entry into the group stage of South America’s premier competition as a result, and they had to endure a tough start, losing 4-0 to Palmeiras in the opening game.
Two victories from their next four matches kept them in the fight, with Tachira even sat second heading into the final game after a 3-0 beating of Independiente Petrolero.
In order to secure second place and a place in the final 16, Aurinegro had to get a result in the reverse match against Palmeiras, but they failed to do so as another loss followed through a 4-1 defeat.
As a result, with Emelec winning their last game, Tachira dropped into third place and find themselves battling in the Copa Sudamericana, and after a 3-0 defeat saw them remain fourth in the Venezuelan top flight, Aurinegro will be keen to return to form on home turf on Thursday.
After finishing 10th in the Brasileiro Serie A last season, Santos headed into the Copa Sudamericana group stage and lost 1-0 to Banfeild on the opening day.
They bounced back with a win over Universidad Catolica and a draw against Union La Calera, before completing a double over the former with a 1-0 away victory.
Santos the faced Union La Calera at home, and they strengthened their spot at the top of the group with another 1-0 win, before confirming their advancement with a 1-1 draw against Banfield.
Deportivo Tachira vs Santos head to head
The two teams have previously met on only two occasions in the Copa Libertadores, where Santos have claimed one victory while they have drawn once. Santos have scored three goals and conceded one in the process. They now meet for the third time in a competitive match in the Copa Suadamericana.
Deportivo Tachira 0-0 Santos 16/02/11
Santos 3-1 Deportivo Tachira 21/04/11
Deportivo Tachira latest home form
Deportivo Tachira have recently been on a good run of form at home, as they have been unbeaten in their four most recent matches. They managed to defeat Aragua 2-0 in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored 12 goals and conceded eight.
Deportivo Tachira 1-4 Emelec 04/05/22
Deportivo Tachira 2-2 Portuguesa 14/05/22
Deportivo Tachira 3-0 Independiente 19/05/22
Deportivo Tachira 4-2 Monagas 29/05/22
Deportivo Tachira 2-0 Aragua 10/06/22
Deprotivo Tachira latest away form
Deportivo Tachira have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having lost each of their three most recent matches. They lost 3-0 to Monagas in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored four goals and conceded 10.
Metropolitanos 1-1 Deportivo Tachira 07/05/22
Mineros de Guayana 1-2 Deportivo Tachira 22/05/22
Palmeiras 4-1 Deportivo Tachira 25/05/22
Aragua 1-0 Deprtivo Tachira 06/06/22
Monagas 3-0 Deportivo Tachira 19/06/22
Santos latest home form
Santos have recently failed to keep a good run of form at home, having been winless in their five most recent matches. They played out a 2-2 draw with RB Bragantino in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored four goals and conceded five.
Santos 0-0 Ceara 22/05/22
Santos 1-1 Banfield 25/05/22
Santos 0-1 Palmeiras 29/05/22
Santos 1-1 Internacional 09/06/22
Santos 2-2 RB Bragantino 19/06/22
Santos latest away form
Santos have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, as they have won just one of their six most recent matches. They managed to defeat Juventude 2-1 on June 15 in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored five goals and conceded eight.
Athletico Paranaense 2-2 Santos 05/06/22
Atletico Mineiro 1-1 Santos 12/06/22
Juventude 1-2 Santos 15/06/22
Corinthians 4-0 Santos 23/06/22
Corinthians 0-0 Santos 26/06/22
Deportivo Tachira news
After being dropped to the bench for their final Copa Libertadores group game, Anthony Uribe should lead the line for Deportivo Tachira form the outset on Thursday.
Roberts Hernandez will likely operate on the left flank, while Maurice Cova and Francisco Flores will again partner up in the engine room.
Santos news
Forward Marcos Leonardo should again spearhead the attack for Santos with support from Leo Baptistao, while Lucas Braga remains a threat on the wing.
Eduardo Bauermann has been a relative fixture at the heart of the defence since his move from America Mineiro, with Emiliano Velazquez likely partnering the 26-year-old.
Prediction and Odds
Deportivo Tachira have most recently put together some impressive results at home, and will feel confident of picking up a positive result in this contest.
However, we see the travelling Brazilian outfit Santos as the stronger side and back them to pick up a narrow win before the home leg.
Odds: 1 2.32 X 2.05 2 2.15
Probable outcomes
Deportivo Tachira 0-1 Santos
Deportivo Tachira 0-2 Santos
Deportivo Tachira 1-2 Santos
Deportivo Tachira 0-0 Santos
Deportivo Tachira 1-1 Santos
