Preview: Internacional vs. Always Ready - prediction, team news, lineups

Brazilian outfit Internacional host Bolivian side Always Ready in their final group-stage encounter of the Copa Libertadores on Wednesday evening.

Group B remains wide open, with all four sides still in with a chance of progressing to the knockout stages, although Always Ready are currently three points behind Deportivo Tachira in second place, who thrashed them 7-2 last week.

Match preview

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Internacional have one foot in the knockout stages after they secured a narrow 1-0 victory away at Olimpia last Friday.

Miguel Angel Ramirez's side dominated the match with 69% possession and 17 shots on goal, but an impressive display from Olimpia goalkeeper Alfredo Aguilar kept the scores level.

The dismissal of Saul Salcedo midway through the second half proved costly for the hosts as substitute Yuri Alberto went on to break the deadlock and score seven minutes from time, sealing three crucial points for the Brazilians.

Internacional remain top of Group B heading into the final game, level on points with Deportivo Tachira, but with a greater goal difference.

Following last week's victory, the Brazilians were unable to clinch silverware in the Campeonato Gaucho final, losing 3-2 on aggregate to Gremio in the final.

Ramirez will be keen to move on from their disappointing loss and turn their focus back to the Copa Libertadores, with a win on Wednesday guaranteeing their place in the last 16 for the third successive year.

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It is fair to say Always Ready have not prepared well enough in recent weeks, losing four of their last five matches across all competitions and conceding 16 goals in the process.

Their most recent defeat was a 7-2 demolition in the Copa Libertadores by Deportivo Tachira last Thursday, which has damaged their hopes of qualifying for the last 16.

The Aurinegro raced into a 4-0 lead before half time thanks to strikes from Freddy Gondola, Maurice Cova, Yerson Chacon and Lucas Gomez.

Gondola scored his second of the game and Tachira's fifth just seconds after the break, before goals from Michael Covea and Douglar Martinez capped a brilliant victory for the Venezuelan outfit.

Always Ready had only conceded four goals in their first four group matches before they were dismantled by Tachira, and that result has seen a huge swing in goal difference. The Bolivians now need to win and hope that Tachira lose, with a four-goal swing between both matches.

This year is only the second time in their history that Always Ready have competed in the Copa Libertadores, with their only other appearance back in 1968, when they were knocked out in the first round.

Omar Asad's side know that Wednesday's clash with Internacional will be challenging but they already know what it takes to beat them, after claiming a 2-0 victory in the reverse fixture last month.

Team News

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Internacional will be without Alberto, who is suspended for their final group game, so Carlos Palacios is set to start up front alongside Thiago Galhardo and Caio Vidal.

Marcos Guilherme made a great impact from the bench in the victory against Olimpia, but the 25-year-old is set to begin Wednesday's match as a substitute once again.

Central midfielder Edenilson was recalled to the first XI last week and could keep his place in the side ahead of Nonato.

As for Always Ready, defender Harold Cummings will serve a one-match suspension following his dismissal last week, which could see Enrique Flores fill in as one of three centre-backs alongside Edemir Rodriguez and Nelson Cabrera.

John Mosquera, who came off the bench to score a penalty last week, could be handed a start up front at the expense of Carmelo Algaranaz, while Marc Enoumba could feature at left wing-back.

Internacional possible starting lineup:
Lomba; Saravia, Ribeiro, Cuesta, Moises; Edenilson, Dourado, Taison; Vidal, Galhardo, Palacios

Always Ready possible starting lineup:
Lampe; Rodriguez, Cabrera, Flores; Ramallo, Saucedo, Machado, Enoumba; Vander, Mosquera; Ovejero

We say: Internacional 3-1 Always Ready

Internacional have won four of their last five home matches in all competitions, scoring 20 goals in the process, while Always Ready have conceded 12 times in their last two away games.

The visitors need to win to have any chance of progressing from Group B, but we feel that the hosts will be too strong in the final third and should do enough to secure a comfortable victory in Porto Alegre.