Roth wary of derby rivals in Copa Sudamericana

Gremio coach Celso Roth is not expecting any favours from arch-rivals Internacional ahead of their Copa Sudamericana second-leg tie on Thursday.

The Porto Alegre rivals are locked at 1-1 after the first leg at Internacional's Beira-Rio stadium on August 14 as they bid to reach the round-of-16.

Roth believes his side's away goal, scored by Leo, could prove decisive in a match he expects to fully test his team, who currently lead the Brazilian Campeonato.

'We hope the away goal can help us because playing a team from the same country is always difficult,' he said. 'We know each other quite well. Also, this is a derby and we want to win.'

With a total of three all-Brazilian ties, two more sides from the country will also advance to the next stage.

Reigning two-time Brazilian league champions Sao Paulo take on Atletico Paranaense at the Morumbi following a goalless draw in the first leg, while Botafogo challenge Atletico Mineiro, who will have to overcome a 3-1 deficit.

Elsewhere, Uruguayan champions Defensor Sporting visit Libertad of Paraguay on Tuesday after a 2-1 home win in the first leg.

Meanwhile, six teams begin their road to the round-of-16 as they play the first leg of their respective ties.

On Tuesday, Mexican side San Luis take on Deportivo Quito of Ecuador, who eliminated Peruvian giants Universitario 2-1 on aggregate.

San Luis coach Braulio Luna is hopeful of being the second Mexican team to win the trophy after Pachuca took it in 2006.

'This is a very important championship,' he said. 'San Luis will play it seriously and well.

'We must score as many goals as possible to get a good advantage in the first leg.'

On Wednesday, Mexican giants Guadalajara travel to Venezuela's Aragua in a game the CONCACAF member, invited by the South American Football Confederation, should win on paper.

The following day sees Universidad Catolica of Chile clash with Paraguayan giants Olimpia, who will be hoping to atone for their derby defeat at Cerro Porteno in the domestic league on Sunday.

The Copa Sudamericana's preliminary round saw Universidad Catolica eliminate Uruguayan side River Plate 4-2 on aggregate, while Olimpia defeated Blooming of Bolivia 4-3.