Deportes Tolima vs Sao Paulo Prediction: Sao Paulo Looking Positive to Win Third Consecutive Sudamericana Outing

In the upcoming fixture of Copa Sudamericana, Deportes Tolima will host Sao Paulo at the Manuel Murillo Toro Stadium in Ibagué, Colombia. With two back-to-back wins, Sao Paulo leads Group D table with 2 wins and 6 points, whereas Deportes Tolima stands 2nd with a win and 3 points. With the undeniable home support, the hosts will be looking to dominate Sao Paulo and secure the top spot. The two sides will be meeting for the first time, which makes the upcoming matchup more dramatic for the two. 

Going in the matchup against Sao Paulo, Deportes Tolima Is coming off a clean-sheet defeat against Santa Fe (2-0) in the Categoria A fixture. With just a drawn fixture from the last five matches played, Tolima is likely to start under pressure against the Brazilian visitors. With a winless streak for 6 matches, Tolima will be looking forward to producing competitive gameplay at home. However, Tolima has lost its last three home matches, 2-0, 1-2, and 0-1. With inconsistent gameplay under the command of Juan Cruz, Deportes Tolima will need to break the shackles and come hard at the opposition. Tolima has only scored 2 goals in the last five, averaging 0.80 goals per game. Moreover, it has conceded 8 goals, averaging 1.60 goals. Hence, Tolima will need to improve its offensive gameplay in order to register a comprehensive win against Sao Paulo.

Christian Vargas; Julián Quiñones, Juan Mera, José Cuenú, Juan Arboleda; Fabián Mosquera, Juan Ríos, Juan Pablo Nieto, Yeison Guzmán, Facundo Boné; Juan Fernando Caicedo.

After losing the opener of Serie A against Botafogo (2-1), Sao Paulo delivered extra-ordinary performances. In the last away fixture of Serie A, Sao Paulo managed a draw against Coritiba (1-1), in which Marcos Paulo scored the all-important equalizer in the 81st minute of play. Sao Paulo defeated Academia Puerto Cabello (2-0) in the last outing of Sudamericana, in which Marcos Paulo also scored a pivotal goal followed by Michel Araujo’s left footed shot from the centre of the box. For the upcoming matchup Sao Paulo will be relying on the presence of Marcos Paulo, who seems to be in terrific match-form. Sao Paulo is also doing well in terms of scoring and conceding, as it has scored 8 goals and conceded just 3 in the last five played. 

Rafael; Raí Ramos, Robert Arboleda, Beraldo, Caio Paulista; Michel Araujo, Pablo Maia, Rodrigo Nestor; Juan, Luciano, Alisson.

Going in the matchup, Sao Paulo will starting as favorite against the struggling home side. Sao Paulo has terrific attackers, who are in decent form and are likely to infiltrate through the defenses of the opposition. Sao Paulo has scored in its last five matches; hence, I am predicting Sao Paulo to score. In two of the last three home matches, Tolima has scored, therefore, I am backing both sides to score. The match total is expected to be over 2.5 goals. 

• Sao Paulo to Win for 2.30
• Total Over 2.5 for 2.32
• Both Teams to Score - Yes for 1.95