Real Esteli vs Columbus Crew prediction, preview, team news and more | CONCACAF Champions League 2020-21

Real Esteli host Columbus Crew at the Nicaragua National Football Stadium in their CONCACAF Champions League round of 16 first leg fixture.

The hosts are the reigning champions of the Liga Primera de Nicaragua and have just two wins in their last five outings.

Columbus Crew lifted the MLS Cup in December and haven't played a competitive fixture since their 3-0 win over Seattle Sounders.

𝐈𝐓'𝐒 𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐊.Thursday. @FS1 & @TUDNUSA.#Crew96 | #SCCL21 pic.twitter.com/rkV2uGRgLR

— Columbus Crew SC (@ColumbusCrewSC) April 5, 2021

Also See: The 10 highest-paid goalkeepers in the world

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Real Esteli vs Columbus Crew Head-to-Head

The two clubs have never faced each other. This will be the first time The Crew will be taking on a Nicaraguan side in a competitive fixture.

Real Esteli form guide in Liga Primera de Nicaragua: L-W-D-D-W

Columbus Crew form guide (friendlies): L-L-L-L

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Real Esteli vs Columbus Crew Team News

Real Esteli

The hosts will have a full-strength squad for the first leg fixture. There were no fresh injury or suspension concerns for them heading into the game.

El Campeón Nacional de Nicaragua se prepara para recibir al Campeón de Estados Unidos este próximo jueves a las seis de la tarde en el Estadio Nacional de Managua 🚂🇦🇹C$110 córdobas Entrada GeneralBoletos a la venta en: Tiendas @Elindependencia y @estadiobeisni @todoticketni pic.twitter.com/qjprI1IZKB

— Real Estelí FC (@realestelifc) April 6, 2021

Injured: None

Suspended: None

Unavailable: None

Columbus Crew

The visitors have some injury concerns for this first leg fixture. Midfielder Artur has been ruled out on account of a hernia injury. Darlington Nagbe will likely fill in for the influential midfielder.

Milton Valenzuela has not featured in the friendlies and is a doubt for this fixture. Kevin Molino has been dealing with a hamstring issue but featured in the latest friendly fixture against Orlando City.

Alexandru Matan has been ruled out of the first leg as his signing is not officially complete.

Let’s go Columbus!!! Excited for the season to start in a couple of days! ⚫️🟡 #allglorytoGod pic.twitter.com/pL85mAmg5L

— Gyasi Zardes (@gyasinho) April 7, 2021

Injured: Artur, Milton Valenzuela

Doubtful: Kevin Molino

Unavailable: Alexandru Matan

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Real Esteli vs Columbus Crew Predicted XI

Real Esteli Predicted XI (4-4-2): Álvaro Gabriel Rezzano; Oscar López, Rodrigo Bronzatti, Oscar Acevedo, Manuel Rosas; Harold Medina, Niko Kata, Juan Barrera, Francisco Esteban Paz; Jorge Betancur, Edgar Josué Castillo Bellorin

Columbus Crew Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Andrew Tarbell; Harrison Afful, Jonathan Mensah, Josh Williams, Aboubacar Keita; Darlington Nagbe, Perry Kitchen; Derrick Etienne, Lucas Zelarayan, Pedro Santos; Gyasi Zardes

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Real Esteli vs Columbus Crew Prediction

Columbus Crew have not won a game since their victory in the MLS final. Some of their key players were busy with international duty and missed their friendly games. This game provides Crew with an opportunity to return to winning ways in style.

Real Esteli have just two wins in their last five outings and lost their latest game against Real Madriz at home. It is difficult to predict the outcome of this game as both clubs have produced inconsistent results in their recent outings.

Columbus Crew are the better side on paper and should be able to record a win here.

Prediction: Real Esteli 0-2 Columbus Crew